Why is the Crew-11 ISS mission returning early?

Crew-11 is returning early due to a medical issue experienced by one of the astronauts on January 7, 2025.

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First Medical Evacuation from International Space Station

Q: Who is on the Crew-11 mission returning to Earth?

Crew-11 includes NASA astronauts Zena Cardman and Mike Fincke, Japanese astronaut Kimiya Yui, and Russian cosmonaut Oleg Platonov.

Q: When will the Crew-11 astronauts splash down?

The Crew-11 mission is expected to splash down off the coast of California around 3:40 a.m. ET on Thursday, January 9, 2025.

13 Jan

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Summary

First ISS crew to return early due to astronaut's illness.
Crew-11 will depart the ISS no earlier than Wednesday.
Medical evaluations will be conducted on Earth.

First Medical Evacuation from International Space Station

In an unprecedented event, a crew of four International Space Station (ISS) astronauts, known as Crew-11, are set for an early return to Earth. This decision, a first in ISS history, stems from a medical concern that arose on January 7, 2025. NASA has confirmed the astronaut's stable condition but has not disclosed their identity or specific illness.

The Crew-11 mission, which includes NASA astronauts Zena Cardman and Mike Fincke, Japanese astronaut Kimiya Yui, and Russian cosmonaut Oleg Platonov, will undock from the ISS no earlier than 5 p.m. ET on Wednesday, January 8, 2025. Mission pilot Mike Fincke emphasized that the early return is a precautionary measure to ensure comprehensive medical evaluations on the ground, stating, "Everyone on board is stable, safe, and well cared for."

The crew is expected to splash down off the coast of California around 3:40 a.m. ET on Thursday, January 9, 2025, though this is subject to weather conditions. This medical evacuation underscores NASA's commitment to astronaut safety and serves as a real-world test of its contingency planning for human spaceflight missions.