UPDATE! NASA’s Crew-8 Astronauts Hospitalized Following Return To Earth

UPDATE - October 25, 6:48pm ET

Following the successful splashdown of NASA's SpaceX Crew-8 mission on Friday, one astronaut has been hospitalized due to a medical issue.

NASA astronauts Matthew Dominick, Michael Barratt, and Jeanette Epps, along with Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexander Grebenkin, were transported to Ascension Sacred Heart Pensacola for evaluation. After undergoing medical assessments, three of the crew members were cleared and have since arrived at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.

The astronaut remaining in Pensacola is in stable condition and is being observed as a precaution. To respect the privacy of the individual, no further details regarding their condition or identity will be disclosed.

The Crew-8 mission concluded with a routine entry and splashdown of the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft near Pensacola. Recovery operations went smoothly, although additional evaluations were conducted on the recovery ship to ensure the well-being of the crew.

NASA expressed gratitude to Ascension Sacred Heart for their support and commended the team for their swift actions in prioritizing crew safety.

The Crew-8 mission lasted 235 days, with 232 days spent aboard the International Space Station (ISS) focused on scientific research.

NASA will share more updates as they become available.

NASA has confirmed that the Crew 8 astronauts have been taken to a local medical facility “for additional evaluation” and “out of an abundance of caution” following their splashdown off Pensacola, Florida, at 3:29 a.m. EDT on Friday. This unexpected development has raised questions, as such measures are not typical after a routine mission return.

"Following NASA’s SpaceX Crew-8 mission’s safe splashdown and recovery off Florida’s coast early Friday morning, NASA astronauts Matthew Dominick, Michael Barratt, and Jeanette Epps, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexander Grebenkin were taken to a local medical facility for additional evaluation. The crew exited the Dragon spacecraft onto a recovery ship for standard post-flight medical evaluations. Out of an abundance of caution, all crew members were flown to the facility together. NASA will provide additional information as it becomes available." - NASA Statement

The Crew 8 mission, which launched on March 3 aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from LC-39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, marked the end of a nearly eight-month deployment aboard the International Space Station (ISS).

NASA astronauts Matthew Dominick, Michael Barratt, and Jeanette Epps, along with Russian cosmonaut Alexander Grebenkin, spent 232 days conducting significant scientific research.

During their time on the ISS, the crew traveled nearly 100 million miles and completed 3,760 orbits around Earth. Their work included pioneering studies on stem cells, material flammability in space, and the effects of spaceflight on the immune system of astronauts—research critical for future long-duration missions and advancements in space medicine.

Upon their return, recovery teams from SpaceX swiftly secured the Crew Dragon spacecraft and assisted the astronauts during their exit. The Crew was expected to first travel via Helicopter to NASA Kennedy Space Center and then travel via plane to NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. Over the coming weeks the Crew Dragon Endeavor capsule will returned to Port Canaveral and SpaceX facilities on the space coast for inspection and refurbishment.

Details surrounding the decision to transport the astronauts for additional evaluation remain limited as NASA has not released further information regarding any specific concerns or conditions prompting this precautionary measure.

As this situation develops, stay tuned to this article for more updates