ISS Crew Makes Early Return After Medical Concern

NASA's Crew-11 team, including a sick astronaut, has safely returned to Earth, splashing down in the Pacific Ocean off San Diego. The SpaceX Dragon spacecraft landed precisely at 12:41 a.m. PT on Thursday. NASA decided to conclude the mission earlier than scheduled due to a medical situation on board.

Crew-11 was initially planned to remain on the ISS until mid-to-late February. However, after assessments, the mission was curtailed "out of an abundance of caution," according to NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman. Crew-11, comprising two American astronauts, one Japanese astronaut, and a Roscosmos cosmonaut, had been a part of the space station since August 1.

An emergency evacuation wasn’t required as the affected astronaut's condition was stable, as stated by Dr. James "JD" Polk. Despite the unexpected return, NASA confirmed the astronaut remains stable. The mission falls under NASA's Commercial Crew Program, where private companies collaborate with NASA for human space transportation.

Preparations for an early return started with the crew packing cargo, reviewing procedures, and transferring hardware aboard the ISS. This marked the 11th crew rotation mission for SpaceX's system and its 12th manned flight. A milestone achieved by the crew was celebrating the 25th anniversary of the ISS's first crewed arrival in November.

The specific details of the astronaut's condition have not been disclosed by NASA, citing privacy concerns. This event marked the first medical-related return in the program's 25-year history. A spacewalk involving the American astronauts was also postponed due to the situation.

Crew-11's early return was due to a medical concern with an astronaut remaining stable.

The team landed safely in the Pacific Ocean as part of the Commercial Crew Program.

It was the first medical-related return in the ISS program's 25-year history.

Key Takeaways

• NASA's Crew-11 returns early due to a medical situation with one astronaut.

• The crew is stable, landing expected near California Thursday morning.

• Mission part of NASA’s collaboration with private firms under the Commercial Crew Program.

Adapted by ASEAN Now from ABC News 2026-01-15