NASA is bringing the Crew-11 astronauts home early from the International Space Station (ISS) due to a serious medical issue affecting one crew member. The SpaceX Dragon capsule will undock Wednesday and splash down in the Pacific Ocean Thursday morning, marking the first medical evacuation from the ISS in its 25 years of continuous operation.
The Situation
The agency has not revealed the identity of the sick astronaut, citing medical privacy, but confirmed their condition requires a full diagnostic assessment on Earth. NASA officials describe the return as a “controlled expedited return” rather than an emergency deorbit, meaning the landing will follow standard procedures.
The Crew-11 team includes commander Zena Cardman, pilot Mike Fincke, Japan’s Kimya Yui, and Russia’s Oleg Platonov. Japanese authorities have stated Yui is not the affected crew member.
Timeline and Logistics
The Dragon capsule is scheduled to leave the ISS around 2 p.m. PT / 5 p.m. ET on Wednesday, January 14, pending favorable weather conditions. Splashdown is expected at approximately 12:40 a.m. PT / 3:40 a.m. ET on Thursday, January 15, off the coast of California.
Live coverage of the departure will begin at noon PT / 3 p.m. ET Wednesday, with additional coverage starting at 11:15 p.m. PT Wednesday / 2:15 a.m. ET Thursday. A post-landing briefing will follow.
Implications for ISS Operations
This unplanned return leaves American astronaut Chris Williams as the sole U.S. crew member on the ISS, relying on Russian support until Crew-12 launches, anticipated in mid-February. The incident highlights the inherent risks of long-duration spaceflight and the limited medical capabilities available on the ISS.
The cancellation of a planned spacewalk last week – where Fincke and Cardman were preparing a solar panel project – preceded the medical issue, though NASA insists it is unrelated to station operations. This event underscores the need for rigorous health monitoring and contingency plans for astronauts in orbit.
The early return of Crew-11 is a reminder that despite the technological advances in space travel, human health remains a critical factor, and even routine missions can face unexpected complications. The incident will likely prompt a review of medical protocols and emergency procedures for future ISS operations.
