Four astronauts from NASA’s Crew-11 mission are heading back to Earth today, January 14, after spending just over a month at the International Space Station (ISS). This return is earlier than planned due to a medical issue affecting one of the astronauts.
The Crew-11 team launched on August 1, 2025, and was supposed to stay at the ISS for six months. They were primarily there to conduct research and assist with spacewalks. The crew includes NASA’s Zena Cardman, Mike Fincke, Japan’s Kimiya Yui, and Russian cosmonaut Oleg Platonov. Their early return comes as they were preparing for a spacewalk that was ultimately canceled due to the ongoing medical concern.
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman announced the mission’s early end, highlighting the careful consideration for the health and safety of the astronauts. Before departing, the team held a change of command ceremony, transferring control of the ISS to Roscosmos’ Sergey Kud-Sverchov.
As the Crew Dragon capsule, named Endeavour, undocked from the ISS at 5:20 PM EST, the crew began their descent towards Earth, with a splashdown planned for January 15. The expected landing site is off the coast of California in the Pacific Ocean.
This situation highlights the unpredictable nature of space missions. Recent data shows that over 85% of astronauts reported experiencing medical issues during their time in space. Such challenges can arise from various factors, including microgravity and the confined environment of the ISS.
While Crew-11 prepares for their splashdown, a reduced crew remains at the ISS, consisting of three astronauts: Kud-Sverchov, cosmonaut Sergey Mikaev, and NASA’s Chris Williams. This skeleton crew will manage the station until the arrival of Crew-12, expected no earlier than February 15.
For those interested in following the events live, NASA plans to stream the splashdown and a post-landing press conference. Catch the action on platforms like NASA+, Amazon Prime, and YouTube.
As space exploration becomes more routine, the health and safety of astronauts will remain a top priority. This incident serves as a reminder that even in the vastness of space, human health is paramount.
