CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — Three NASA astronauts recently concluded their lengthy time aboard the International Space Station (ISS) and shared insights from their mission during a news conference on Friday, but chose not to disclose which of them had experienced a health issue.

Astronauts Matthew Dominick, Michael Barratt, and Jeanette Epps discussed their nearly eight-month ordeal in space that was prolonged due to issues related to Boeing’s Starliner crew capsule, coupled with adverse weather conditions, including Hurricane Milton. Their mission came to an end on October 25 when their SpaceX capsule made a successful splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico near Florida.

Upon their return, they, along with Russian cosmonaut Alexander Grebenkin, who joined them on the journey that began in March, were transported to a hospital in Pensacola for evaluation. One of the American astronauts was admitted overnight for a medical concern that has not been publicly identified. NASA refrained from naming the astronaut or providing specific details regarding the health situation, citing privacy regulations.

When questioned during the press briefing about which astronaut had faced the medical issue, they declined to provide a response. Barratt commented, “Spaceflight remains an area that is not completely understood. We occasionally encounter unexpected challenges, and this was one of those instances. We are currently working to understand it better.” Barratt, being a physician with expertise in space medicine, is also the only crew member with prior experience in space travel.

Meanwhile, astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, who are involved in flying tests for Boeing’s Starliner, will continue their stay at the ISS until February, traveling back with SpaceX. It’s noteworthy that the Starliner capsule returned to Earth empty in September.

The ongoing exploration and research within the realm of space travel continue to reveal complexities that require extensive investigation and understanding.