Four Crew‑11 astronauts splash down after medical evacuation from ISS

NASA concluded the safe return to Earth of four astronauts on Thursday after one crew member experienced a medical issue aboard the International Space Station. The SpaceX Crew Dragon carrying Zena Cardman and Michael Fincke of NASA, Kimiya Yui of JAXA and Oleg Platonov of Roscosmos splashed down in the Pacific Ocean off San Diego at 3:41 a.m.

Eastern time. NASA did not identify which astronaut was ill or the nature of the medical issue; Jared Isaacman, the NASA administrator, said during a news conference, “The crew member of concern is doing fine.” The four were part of Crew‑11 and had spent 167 days in orbit; they had been scheduled to depart next month.

NASA said the affected astronaut was stable and did not require an immediate emergency return, but limited medical equipment on the station prompted a “controlled medical evacuation” — following standard departure procedures at an earlier date. Hatches between the capsule and the station closed at 3:29 p.m.

Eastern, the spacecraft undocked at 5:20 p.m., and after about nine-and-a-half hours in orbit a 13‑minute thruster firing began reentry. Parachutes slowed the capsule for the water landing; dolphins were seen near the capsule and the astronauts were helped from the spacecraft within an hour for initial health checks.

Key Topics

Science, Spacex Crew Dragon, International Space Station, Nasa, Medical Evacuation, San Diego