CAPE CANAVERAL, FL – On Jan. 8 I was interviewed live on Fox 35 Orlando regarding the sudden and unexpected serious ‘medical situation’ ailing a Crew-11 astronaut on board the International Space Station – that forced NASA to cancel a spacewalk planned for today and potentially may cause an unprecedented early return of the entire 4 person crew to Earth soon.
Here is my complete live interview by FOX 35 Orlando anchor Garret Wymer that’s was recorded at 1 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 8 – about the ailing crew 11 astronaut on board the International Space Station.
https://youtu.be/IPwuC-SSlqE?si=sdh98X9HAJ0SjxGR
Caption: Spacewalk canceled, Crew 11 could come home early – NASA has postponed its first ISS spacewalk of the year, citing medical concerns for one of its crew members. NASA astronauts planned two spacewalks in January to conduct repairs and upgrades to the International Space Station. Ken Kremer, managing editor of Space UpClose, spoke with FOX 35’s Garrett Wymer about the latest on Jan 8, 2026
https://www.fox35orlando.com/video/fmc-uxq79wb89dpyyqf0
NASA suddenly had to cancel the spacewalk EVA planned to be carried out by NASA astronauts Mike Fincke and Zena Cardman.
We discussed the implications and alternatives and unprecedented nature of bringing astronauts home early in cases of medical issues.
How can the Station operate with only 3 crewmembers on board vs 7?
Can the NASA SpaceX Crew 12 launch be moved up? Medical evaluation gear and medications available onboard?
Crew-11 arrived on the ISS via the NASA SpaceX Crew Dragon Endeavor spacecraft and comprises Pilot Mike Fincke, Commander Zena Cardman, JAXA astronaut Kimiya Yui and Roscosmos cosmonaut Oleg Platonov.
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NASA Statements:
#1: Jan. 7 – NASA Postpones Jan. 8 Spacewalk
NASA is postponing the Thursday, Jan. 8, spacewalk outside the International Space Station. The agency is monitoring a medical concern with a crew member that arose Wednesday afternoon aboard the orbital complex. Due to medical privacy, it is not appropriate for NASA to share more details about the crew member. The situation is stable. NASA will share additional details, including a new date for the upcoming spacewalk, later.
#2: Jan. 8 – As an update to our earlier communication regarding a medical situation aboard the International Space Station, the matter involved a single crew member who is stable. Safely conducting our missions is our highest priority, and we are actively evaluating all options, including the possibility of an earlier end to Crew-11’s mission. These are the situations NASA and our partners train for and prepare to execute safely. We will provide further updates within the next 24 hours.
Ken Kremer interviews:
Jan 9 at WFTV ABC News Orlando: https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/nasa-finalizing-crew-11-return-013912159.html
