Four NASA astronauts are preparing to return to Earth weeks earlier than planned after a medical issue affected one member of their crew while aboard NASA's orbiting laboratory. The rare decision to cut the mission short has raised fresh questions about health risks in space and why officials believe the best course of action is a rapid return to the ground.
NASA confirmed the affected astronaut is in stable condition and does not require emergency care during the journey home. However, the agency said a full medical assessment would be better completed on Earth rather than in orbit.
