Why did all four astronauts return for one medical emergency?published at 11:32 GMT
11:32 GMT
Georgina Rannard
Science correspondent
Image source, NASA/BILL INGALLS HANDOUT/EPA
Astronauts
must travel back from the ISS at least in pairs for safety reasons – it’s a
dangerous and long journey that requires immense technical skill.
For example,
if one person fainted or fell ill during the return flight, they need someone
else there to fly the craft.
But why did
all four members of Crew-11 cut short their stay for this medical evacuation?
Space flight
relies on a lot of complex logistics. The crew travelled to the ISS on the
Dragon Endeavour capsule, which remained docked at the ISS during their five-month
stay – essentially acting as their lifeboat.
If just two
had returned on it, it would have left the remaining pair without a craft to
return on – a problem if another rapid evacuation was needed.
Nasa prides
itself on putting astronauts’ safety and well-being first, and it won’t have
wanted to take any risks.