NASA Astronauts Do Not Reveal Who Was Sick After Nearly Eight Months in Space

At least, that’s my understanding based on anecdotes from friends or from personal experience. NASA astronauts Matthew Dominick, Michael Barratt and Jeanette Epps returned from their extended space station mission with one needing hospital care last month but declined Friday to name which astronaut had become sick during it. These astronauts first made themselves publicly known when discussing their spaceflight on Oct 25. They spent nearly eight months in space, longer than anticipated due to issues with Boeing’s Starliner crew capsule and inclement weather such as Hurricane Milton. When their SpaceX capsule splashed down off Florida coast in Gulf of Mexico near Pensacola Hospital near Pensacola along with Russian Cosmonaut Alexander Grebenkin who launched with them back in March; all were taken for medical evaluation (one American ended up staying overnight for undisclosed health reasons). NASA declined to specify who or why someone was hospitalized, citing medical privacy.This photo provided by NASA shows support teams working near SpaceX Dragon Endeavour shortly after landing, in the Gulf of Mexico off Pensacola Beach Florida on Friday October 25, 2024. (NASA/Joel Kowsky via AP)In this image from video provided by NASA, astronauts Matthew Dominick, Michael Barratt and Jeanette Epps participate in a news conference held by Johnson Space Center in Houston on Nov 8, 2024. (NASA via AP)When asked at Friday’s news conference which astronaut was feeling sick, none would respond and Dr. Barratt who specializes in space medicine declined even to describe what symptoms might exist for this unidentified astronaut – “Spaceflight remains something we do not fully comprehend yet,” said he said. “Every time we fly in space we discover things we did not expect – and this experience was no exception. As everyone responds differently to being out in space — or being exposed to gravity — Epps noted this can sometimes take months of trial-and-error before understanding. “That is one thing you cannot predict,” she stated, noting, “Every day gets better”. We Need Your SupportOther news outlets have taken refuge behind paywalls; therefore we require your support in keeping this platform available and free. At HuffPost, we believe journalism should be available and free for everyone. Would you help provide essential news coverage during these trying times for our readers? Without you we wouldn’t be here – can’t afford a contribution yet? No worries; simply share with someone in need! Sign in while reading to support HuffPost by creating a free account and logging in. Having supported us before, you understand we could use your assistance now more than ever! At HuffPost, our mission of providing free and fair news coverage is of paramount importance in this difficult period; but without your generosity we simply couldn’t achieve it. Whether giving once or multiple times throughout the year, every dollar counts toward keeping journalism available to everyone. Thank you again if this is something new – HuffPost needs help more than ever from its readers and supporters like yourself! At HuffPost, our mission of providing free and impartial news is of vital importance in these uncertain times, but we need your support more than ever in order to fulfill it. No matter if it’s just one time giving or signing up again regularly – either way we appreciate every part played in keeping journalism accessible for all! Please support HuffPost today; already contributed? Click here. Log In or Create An Account Now (free!) in order to remove these messages. Dominick reported it took some time before becoming comfortable sitting comfortably on an unforgiving chair when he returned from service. He claimed not to use his treadmill once during his time in space as part of an experiment to see which equipment could be cut back during a voyage to Mars. Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams — two astronauts serving as test pilots for Boeing’s Starliner — will remain aboard until February, flying back with SpaceX after it returned empty in September.The Associated Press Health & Science Department receives support from Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group but remains solely accountable for content.