NASA mystery as astronauts rushed to hospital after returning from space
A crew of four NASA astronauts were sent to hospital on their return from space and we don't fully know why.
The group were brought back down to Earth on SpaceX's Dragon capsule on 25 October after spending more than 200 days on the International Space Station (ISS).
After a successful landing down near Pensacola, Florida, however, a NASA astronaut 'experienced a medical issue', the space agency said.
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It was then announced that NASA astronauts Matthew Dominick, Michael Barratt, and Jeanette Epps, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexander Grebenkin were taken to the Ascension Sacred Heart Pensacola in Florida.
Three of the crew members left the hospital and arrived at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, while the 'one astronaut who remained at Ascension was in stable condition under observation as a precautionary measure'.
Thankfully, the astronaut involved was released after a night in hospital.
"To protect the crew member’s medical privacy, specific details on the individual’s condition or identity will not be shared," NASA added.
"During its return to earth, the SpaceX Dragon executed a normal entry and splashdown.
"Recovery of the crew and the spacecraft was without incident.
"During routine medical assessments on the recovery ship, the additional evaluation of the crew members was requested out of an abundance of caution."
In a post-splashdown news conference, NASA provided little update on the situation, saying the hospital visits were done 'out of an abundance of caution'.
It didn't specify any details in regard to the health concerns.
This comes after NASA astronauts on board the ISS were being issued safety precautions because of 50 'areas of concern'.
The US space agency and its Russian counterpart Roscosmos say they have been aware of a leak on the ISS since 2019.
But following various safety concerns, they have been taking a look at four cracks and 50 other 'areas of concern' on board.
NASA has since told the Washington Post that Roscosmos has used 'a combination of sealant and patches' to cover up the cracks, with internal risk assessments scoring it a five out of five.
"We have conveyed the seriousness of the leaks multiple times, including when I was in Russia earlier this year," NASA associate administrator, Jim Free, told the outlet.
In the short-term, they've recommended to astronauts to keep the hatch closed as much as possible 'in the evening'.
Though when the hatch is open, NASA's space experts have been instructed to remain on the US side of the space station in the case of an emergency.
They remain adamant that the ISS is still safe enough for the remaining 11 people onboard.
LADbible Group has contacted NASA for comment.
Anish Vij