ISS Medical Evacuation Signals a New Era in Space Healthcare
An ISS medical evacuation in January 2026—the first in 25 years—highlights the strength of onboard medical care and Earth-based telemedicine, while also underscoring space-specific health risks (dermatology issues, congestion, sleep disruption, and injuries) and the need to evolve toward Earth‑independent medical operations and AI‑assisted care for longer missions.