Four astronauts departed the International Space Station (ISS) on Wednesday evening, returning earlier than planned due to a medical issue. Their spacecraft is set to splash down in the Pacific Ocean early Thursday morning.
NASA’s Crew-11 includes Zena Cardman, Mike Fincke, Kimiya Yui, and Oleg Platonov. They undocked from the ISS at 5:20 p.m. ET. Their journey home will take about 11 hours.
“Endeavour Crew, enjoy the ride home,” SpaceX mission control said, referring to the Dragon capsule they traveled in.
This event marks a unique moment in the ISS’s 25-year history. It’s the first time a crew had to end their mission early because of a medical situation. Although NASA hasn’t disclosed details about the issue, they confirmed it is stable and not an emergency. Fincke reassured everyone through a LinkedIn post that the team was safe and receiving care. He noted this decision was best for proper medical assessments on the ground, which have more resources available.
Before leaving, the astronauts packed their cargo and reviewed procedures for undocking and landing. SpaceX’s Dragon capsule can operate autonomously, which simplifies the process.
The crew was originally meant to stay until late February. However, after a medical incident occurred on board, a planned spacewalk was canceled. Following discussions with health officials, NASA decided to send the crew home early for safety reasons.
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman emphasized that it was crucial for the astronauts’ well-being to return early. Before the team left, Fincke passed command of the ISS to cosmonaut Sergey Kud-Sverchkov in a ceremony filled with camaraderie.
This unexpected departure raises questions about the resilience and adaptability of space missions, especially regarding health protocols. In recent years, NASA has expanded its medical protocols in space, understanding that health emergencies can arise during long missions. With the Crew-11 return, it sets a precedent for future missions to prioritize astronaut health above all.
With only Chris Williams remaining from the original Crew-11, NASA is already looking to speed up the arrival of the next crew, Crew-12, scheduled for no earlier than February 15. For now, Williams will oversee U.S. operations alone for some time.
In a world where international collaboration becomes more vital, these astronauts represent cooperation across borders and scientific boundaries. “We’re from all over the planet, and we’re working together,” Fincke said, highlighting the unity that space exploration fosters. Such moments remind us that teamwork and care are essential, not just in space, but here on Earth too.
For more insights into astronaut health measures, check out NASA’s latest report on space medicine.
