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ISS Changes Command as NASA Prepares First Medical Evacuation of Crew-11

The early return brings a stable astronaut to Earth for diagnostic care not available on the station.

Overview

  • Crew-11 is scheduled to undock no earlier than Wednesday, Jan. 14 at 5 p.m. ET, with splashdown targeted around 3:40 a.m. ET Thursday off southern California, pending weather.
  • NASA’s Mike Fincke transferred station command to Russian cosmonaut Sergey Kud-Sverchkov on Jan. 12 during an onboard ceremony.
  • NASA says the affected crew member remains stable, and the first medical-driven early return in ISS history is being executed to enable ground-based evaluation rather than as an emergency.
  • Following Crew-11’s departure, the ISS will operate with three occupants—Chris Williams, Sergey Kud-Sverchkov and Sergey Mikaev—until the next crew rotation arrives.
  • NASA is evaluating earlier launch opportunities for Crew-12 and has temporarily paused U.S. spacewalks until full crew levels are restored.