Keith’s note: I live-tweeted the ISS crew telecon at @NASAWatch – highlights:
- Jared Isaacman: It is in the best interest of crew II to return early. Crew 12 will launch in mid-Feb. Evaluating earlier launch opportunities.
- JD Polk: no mention will be made of a particular astronaut or diagnosis. Need to respect privacy of astronaut. That astronaut is “absolutely stable”. The incident was sufficient enough that we would like to complete work-up on the ground with full suite of medical hardware. Not a emergency departure but there is a lingering risk.
- JD Polk: Previous incidents on ISS that guide response? JD Polk – yes – we have had capabilities on orbit that very always able to treat medical things that popped up during past 25 years.
- JD Polk: Previous incidents on ISS that guide response? JD Polk – yes – we have had capabilities on orbit that very always able to treat medical things that popped up during past 25 years.
- Jared Isaacman: Will there me a medical officer on ISS? All astronauts have extensive medical training. Having a M.D. on board would not really change anything. We are exercising capabilities that were engineered into ISS – at will.
- Jared Isaacman: Good question: what in space medical capabilities need to be in place for Moon and Mars missions. ISS already has a capability. We continue to learn. We will see if that informs on-orbit space ops – then to the Moon – then deep space missions to Mars.
Wow. Astronauts know the risks better than anyone, and they choose to fly because of what can be accomplished. All the best to the courageous and dedicated ISS team. Over and over they prove how they are a credit to the nation and the world.