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  • 1.  Abandoned space mission

    Posted 01-24-2026 10:09
    Good morning,

    I'm sure most of you have read the recent article describing astronauts returning from their mission due to medical necessity. I would be very interested to hear your thoughts on the possible reasons the mission was aborted and what medical events you think may have occurred.

    Do any of you think this could have been related to papilledema or another manifestation of spaceflight-associated neuro-ocular syndrome? The limited information I was able to find suggested the cause may have been secondary to cardiac pathology, though details were sparse.

    I recognize that much of this is speculative given the lack of publicly available data, but I'm curious whether anyone has additional insight or experience that might help clarify what could have happened.

    Looking forward to hearing your perspectives


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  • 2.  RE: Abandoned space mission

    Posted 01-24-2026 10:12
    It was pointed out by one of the astronauts that ultrasound played a major role in the decision, so I was betting on a DVT rather than any ocular issue.





  • 3.  RE: Abandoned space mission

    Posted 01-24-2026 10:18
    Doubt the neuro ocular syndrome would cause premature return. Gyne problem or cancer (lump)or GI problem. But we may never know 





  • 4.  RE: Abandoned space mission

    Posted 01-24-2026 13:45
      |   view attached

    Fascinating!!!

    If microgravity-driven intracranial venous congestion/outflow restriction can tip someone into an elevated-ICP/SANS-like state that becomes mission-limiting, I'd be very interested in the prevalence of transverse sinus stenosis (or other venous outflow restriction markers) in the affected astronaut(s) vs unaffected crew. Also, I'd expect this wouldn't be purely "neuro-ocular." If the physiology is real, there should be neurocognitive manifestations as well. Along those lines, impaired venous outflow could plausibly mean reduced glymphatic clearance, potentially worsening cognitive function both acutely and (speculatively) long-term. Finally, I can't help wondering about sleep as a modifier: are they getting adequate oxygenation during sleep, or could there be an OSA-like physiology in flight contributing to optic nerve vulnerability (even NAION-like risk) as part of the neuro-ocular phenotype? Purely hypothesis-generating, but seems worth interrogating.



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    KemarGreenAssistant Professor of NeurologyCompanyName]kgreen66@jhmi.edu
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    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Abandoned space mission

    Posted 01-29-2026 13:35
    I agree with this explanation 
      they getting adequate oxygenation during sleep, or could there be an OSA-like physiology in flight contributing to optic nerve vulnerability as OSA affect venous transverse sinus during sleep with low blood pressure



    Original Message


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