Early Friday morning, three NASA astronauts and one Russian cosmonaut experienced an unexpected medical transfer to a facility in Florida following their splashdown aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule. Instead of returning directly to their home base in Houston, they were taken to Ascension Sacred Heart Pensacola, located near the Gulf of Mexico where they landed.
As of Friday afternoon, one astronaut remained hospitalized due to a “medical issue,” while the other three underwent health evaluations and subsequently flew to NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.
NASA has been tight-lipped about the situation, stating that specific details regarding the crew member’s condition or identity will not be disclosed to protect their medical privacy. According to a statement from NASA news chief Cheryl Warner, the astronaut who remains at Ascension is reported to be in stable condition and is being observed as a precautionary measure.
The incident has raised concerns but underscores the agency’s commitment to the health and safety of its crew members, ensuring they receive necessary medical attention following their mission.
