NASA astronaut released from hospital after returning from space mission
Washington: A NASA astronaut, who was briefly hospitalized following their return from space, has been discharged, the space agency confirmed on Saturday. Astronauts Matthew Dominick, Michael Barratt, Jeanette Epps, and Russia’s Alexander Grebenkin were taken to the hospital for routine medical checks after splashing down in the Gulf of Mexico off the Florida coast aboard a SpaceX capsule.
Three of the astronauts have been given the all-clear and have returned to Houston, while one NASA astronaut, whose name has not been revealed, remained in the hospital for additional observation due to an undisclosed medical concern. NASA refrained from sharing further specifics, citing privacy guidelines, but emphasized that the astronaut is in “good health” and will soon resume the “normal post-flight recovery process” alongside the rest of the team. The astronauts had been aboard the International Space Station (ISS) since March, and their return was delayed for two months due to technical difficulties with Boeing’s Starliner capsule and the disruption caused by Hurricane Milton.
Astronauts face challenges readjusting to gravity
Astronauts often experience a period of adjustment to gravity after returning from extended stays in space, where they have been in a weightless environment for months. The crew’s return was first postponed due to safety concerns with the Boeing Starliner capsule, which returned empty in September. Their arrival was further delayed by Hurricane Milton and continued rough seas.
SpaceX launched the four astronauts in March, and Barratt, the only veteran astronaut on the mission, expressed his gratitude to the support teams, recognizing their effort in “replanning, retooling, and doing everything right alongside us.”
The replacements for this crew, Starliner test pilots Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, saw their mission extended from eight days to eight months, while two astronauts launched by SpaceX four weeks ago will remain on the ISS until February. With the return of this crew, the space station is now back to its usual seven-person team, consisting of four Americans and three Russians, after several months of overflow.