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NASA Conducts First ISS Medical Evacuation With Early Crew-11 Return

The four astronauts splashed down off California in a SpaceX Crew Dragon after a canceled spacewalk prompted NASA to seek Earth-based care for a crewmate in stable condition.

Overview

  • SpaceX’s Crew Dragon carried the astronauts to a Pacific splashdown near San Diego after roughly 11 hours from undocking, at about 9:42 a.m. CET.
  • The returning crew comprised Zena Cardman, Michael Fincke, Kimiya Yui, and Oleg Platonow, who had launched to the station on August 1, 2025.
  • Their mission ended several weeks earlier than planned, concluding after about 167 days in orbit.
  • NASA said the affected astronaut’s identity and medical details will remain private, and all four crew members received routine checks and further evaluation at local hospitals.
  • Station operations continue with astronaut Chris Williams and Russian cosmonauts Sergej Kud-Swertschkow and Sergej Mikajew on board as agencies assess next steps.