NASA's Crew-11 to Return Early from ISS Due to Medical Issue
NASA's Crew-11 mission will return to Earth ahead of schedule following a crew member's medical concern, marking the first such early return in ISS history.
NASA has announced that the four astronauts of the Crew-11 mission will return to Earth earlier than planned due to a medical issue affecting one crew member. The crew, consisting of NASA astronauts Zena Cardman and Mike Fincke, Japanese astronaut Kimiya Yui, and Russian cosmonaut Oleg Platonov, launched aboard SpaceX's Crew Dragon Endeavour on August 1, 2025, for a six-month mission. The affected astronaut's identity and specific medical condition have not been disclosed, but the individual is reported to be stable.
The decision to cut the mission short follows the postponement of a scheduled spacewalk on January 8, 2026, intended to prepare the ISS for future solar panel installations. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman emphasized that the early return is a precautionary measure, stating, "We are erring on the side of caution for the crew member and in their best interest."
Upon their return, the ISS will be staffed by NASA astronaut Christopher Williams and Russian cosmonauts Sergey Kud-Sverchkov and Sergei Mikayev. NASA is evaluating the possibility of advancing the launch of Crew-12, originally scheduled for mid-February, to minimize the reduced operation period.
This marks the first time in ISS history that a crew has been instructed to return early due to a medical issue. NASA's Chief Medical Officer James Polk noted that, statistically, a medical evacuation should occur approximately every three years, yet this is the first instance.
The early return is not expected to impact the upcoming Artemis 2 mission, scheduled for no earlier than February 5, 2026. NASA is coordinating scheduling to ensure both the ISS crew transition and Artemis 2 preparations proceed without delay.