New Astronauts Launch to International Space Station

Crew change follows first-ever NASA medical evacuation from ISS

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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A new crew of astronauts has launched to the International Space Station, replacing the previous crew that was medically evacuated earlier this year in NASA's first such incident. The agency says it is satisfied with existing medical procedures and did not require any additional checkups or equipment for the new crew before liftoff.

Why it matters

The medical evacuation from the ISS was an unprecedented event, raising questions about the health and safety protocols in place for astronauts in space. This new crew change will help ensure the continued operations and research aboard the orbiting laboratory.

The details

The new crew launched on Friday to the International Space Station, replacing the previous astronauts who returned to Earth early after one of them required a medical evacuation. NASA has not revealed the identity or specific health issue of the ill astronaut, but says an ultrasound machine already aboard the ISS was used extensively to assess the situation before the crew's early return.

  • The previous crew was medically evacuated on January 7, 2026.
  • The new crew launched to the ISS on February 13, 2026.

The players

NASA

The United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the government agency responsible for the U.S. civil space program, aeronautics, and space research.

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What’s next

NASA says it is satisfied with the existing medical procedures in place for astronauts on the International Space Station and did not require any additional checkups or equipment for the new crew before their launch.

The takeaway

The successful crew change following the first-ever medical evacuation from the International Space Station demonstrates NASA's ability to quickly respond to unexpected health situations and maintain continuous operations aboard the orbiting laboratory.