After completing a record-setting 235-day mission on the International Space Station, NASA Crew-8 returned to Earth, splashing down in the Gulf of Mexico early on October 25, 2024. However, the return was met with an unexpected health precaution, all four Crew-8 members underwent a thorough medical evaluation shortly after splashdown, with one astronaut hospitalized for a medical issue.
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The NASA Crew-8 mission launched on March 4, 2024, carrying NASA astronauts Michael Barratt, Matthew Dominick, Jeanette Epps and Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexander Grebenkin to the ISS.
NASA Crew-8’s primary objectives included conducting scientific research, maintaining ISS operations and expanding human understanding of space missions.
NASA Crew-8 set a new record for US crewed space missions, completing a 235-day stay on the ISS. This surpasses typical mission lengths of five to seven months.
NASA Crew-8’s SpaceX Dragon Endeavour capsule successfully splashed down in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Pensacola, Florida at approximately 3:29 a.m. ET on October 25, 2024.
NASA broadcasted the splashdown, showing the astronauts smiling and waving as they exited the capsule and boarded a recovery vessel.
Following protocol for long-duration space missions, all four astronauts underwent standard health evaluations on the recovery vessel shortly after landing.
Due to an abundance of caution, NASA arranged for all Crew-8 members to be transported to Ascension Sacred Heart Pensacola hospital for evaluations.
One astronaut remained hospitalized overnight due to a medical issue while the other three crewmembers were cleared and transported back to NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.
NASA Crew-8 included three NASA astronauts, Matthew Dominick, Michael Barratt and Jeanette Epps and a Roscosmos cosmonaut, Alexander Grebenkin.
NASA Crew-8 astronauts worked on a variety of experiments covering human health, materials science, agriculture and space technology. These experiments were designed to support the future of long-duration space missions.
Studies conducted by NASA Crew-8 focused on understanding how exposure to microgravity affects human health.
It was originally intended as a six-month rotation, the NASA Crew-8 mission was extended due to delays with Boeing’s Starliner. The extended schedule required Crew-8 to remain on the ISS until SpaceX’s Crew-9 launch, which arrived in September.
NASA Crew-8 returned on October 25, 2024, successfully splashing down in the Gulf of Mexico near Pensacola, Florida. After Hurricane Milton and other weather delayed their return, Crew-8’s safe descent confirmed the robustness of SpaceX’s Dragon Endeavour.
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Despite a smooth splashdown, one of the NASA Crew-8 astronauts experienced a health issue shortly after landing. The space agency did not reveal the specific astronaut’s identity or the medical issue’s nature.
In a statement, NASA confirmed that the hospitalized astronaut was in stable condition and was kept under observation as a precautionary measure. No details were provided on the astronaut’s identity or specific medical issue due to privacy concerns.
By October 26, the astronaut was released from the hospital and returned to Houston. NASA confirmed the astronaut was in good health and ready to resume standard post-mission reconditioning alongside their teammates.
All Crew-8 astronauts will undergo a reconditioning process at NASA’s Johnson Space Center, a routine procedure after extended stays in microgravity.
NASA’s Crew-8 astronauts underwent routine health checks immediately following splashdown, as is standard protocol.
While three astronauts were cleared to return directly to Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, the fourth was hospitalized overnight at Ascension Sacred Heart Pensacola as a precautionary measure.
After an overnight observation, the hospitalized NASA Crew-8 astronaut was released and is currently back at NASA’s Johnson Space Center.
In a statement, NASA confirmed the astronaut’s stable condition and that they would proceed with the standard reconditioning program that follows every extended space mission.
Post-mission reconditioning is critical after extended space exposure especially for NASA Crew-8 members who spent over seven months in microgravity. This reconditioning process includes physical therapy, strength training and gradual adjustments to Earth’s gravity.
NASA’s reconditioning programs designed with Crew-8’s well-being in mind, help ensure astronauts regain full health and strength.
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