Four Crew‑11 astronauts return to Earth after medical evacuation from ISS

Four astronauts splashed down in the Pacific Ocean off San Diego early Thursday after an early return from the International Space Station because one crew member became ill, NASA said. Jared Isaacman, the agency administrator, said after the landing, "The crew member of concern is doing fine." The returning crew were Zena Cardman and Michael Fincke of NASA; Kimiya Yui of JAXA; and Oleg Platonov of Roscosmos.

The Crew Dragon capsule touched down at 3:41 a.m. Eastern time. NASA did not identify which astronaut was ill or describe the medical issue. The four were part of Crew-11 and had spent 167 days in orbit; they had been scheduled to depart next month after the next rotation. Because the station has limited medical equipment, officials carried out a "controlled medical evacuation" — following standard departure procedures but at an earlier date — and said it was the first time in the 25-year history of the station that someone returned for a health issue.

"We took this action, because it was a serious medical condition," Mr. Isaacman said. Hatches between the spacecraft and the station closed at 3:29 p.m. Eastern on Wednesday and the Crew Dragon undocked at 5:20 p.m., about 15 minutes late. A nine-and-a-half-hour orbital wait preceded a 13-minute thruster firing and re-entry; parachutes slowed the capsule before it landed in calm waters.

Dolphins swam near the capsule, and within an hour the crew had been helped out for initial health checks.

Key Topics

Science, Nasa, International Space Station, Crew Dragon, San Diego, Jared Isaacman