UPDATE:
Crew-11 safely splashed down at 12:41 PST off the coast of San Diego.
Footage of the splashdown can be watched at:
Source: Jacob Lavoie/Village News
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – For the first time in the 25-year history of the International Space Station, NASA has ordered a mission to end early due to a medical emergency. The four-member SpaceX Crew-11 team is scheduled to undock Wednesday and return to Earth weeks ahead of schedule to seek treatment for an undisclosed crew member.
The SpaceX Dragon spacecraft Endeavour is targeting an undocking time of 2:05 p.m. PST Wednesday, Jan. 14. Splashdown is expected off the coast of California at approximately 12:41 a.m. PST Thursday, Jan. 15.
Live coverage can be watched via:
and
https://www.youtube.com/live/qRVoblm2Nxw
Weather permitting, re-entry of the capsule will be visible with a plasma trail and associated sonic boom.
While NASA officials emphasized the affected astronaut is in stable condition, they determined that the medical capabilities aboard the orbiting laboratory were insufficient to address the “lingering risk” posed by the condition.
”Safely conducting our missions is our highest priority,” a NASA spokesperson said. “After evaluating the situation, we decided it is in the best interest of the astronaut to return Crew-11 early to access the full range of medical diagnostics and care available on Earth.”
A First in 25 Years
The decision marks the first “controlled medical evacuation” since the ISS began continuous human habitation in November 2000. While astronauts have faced minor health issues in orbit before-ranging from pinched nerves to blood clots-none have previously forced an entire crew to depart ahead of schedule.
Because the SpaceX Dragon capsule serves as the emergency lifeboat for the entire four-person team, all members of Crew-11 must return together, even though only one requires medical attention.
The returning crew includes:
Zena Cardman (NASA), Mission Commander
Mike Fincke (NASA), Pilot
Kimiya Yui (JAXA – Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency), Mission Specialist
Oleg Platonov (Roscosmos), Mission Specialist
Timeline of Events
The medical issue first arose on Wednesday, Jan. 7. The following day, NASA abruptly canceled a planned spacewalk involving astronauts Fincke and Cardman, citing a “medical concern.” At the time, the agency did not elaborate on the severity of the issue but noted the crew member was stable.
By the weekend, mission managers concluded that an early return was necessary. The crew, who launched in August 2025, was originally scheduled to remain in orbit until mid-February 2026.
