Four astronauts return after medical evacuation from the International Space Station

Four astronauts returned safely to Earth after an early departure from the International Space Station prompted by a medical issue affecting one crewmember, NASA said. The SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule splashed down in the Pacific Ocean off San Diego at 3:41 a.m. Eastern, and NASA administrator Jared Isaacman said that "the crew member of concern is doing fine." The returning crew included Zena Cardman and Michael Fincke of NASA, Kimiya Yui of JAXA and Oleg Platonov of Roscosmos.

NASA did not identify which astronaut was ill or the nature of the medical issue. Officials said the affected astronaut was stable and had not required an immediate emergency return, so NASA conducted a "controlled medical evacuation" earlier than planned because of limited medical equipment on the station.

Hatches were closed Wednesday afternoon, the spacecraft undocked later and spent about nine and a half hours in orbit before a 13-minute thruster firing and re-entry. Within an hour of splashdown the crew were helped out for initial health checks and taken to a nearby hospital to stay overnight; NASA said they are to head back to Houston on Friday.

Keeping the four together was intended to protect the privacy of the affected astronaut. Three astronauts remain on the station — Christopher Williams of NASA and Russians Sergey Kud-Sverchkov and Sergey Mikaev — and NASA said the station should be short-staffed for only a few weeks.

Key Topics

Science, International Space Station, Spacex Crew Dragon, Pacific Ocean, Zena Cardman, Michael Fincke