NASA returning SpaceX Crew-11 early after astronaut medical issue aboard International Space Station
Dr. James Polk, NASA's chief health and medical officer, said this is the first medical evacuation to occur in the International Space Station's 25-year history.
International Space Station Update
Officials from NASA address the ongoing situation with the International Space Station returning to Earth.
The four-person NASA SpaceX Crew-11 will be returning to Earth early after a medical issue occurred Wednesday prior to a planned spacewalk outside the International Space Station.
SpaceX Crew-11 consists of NASA astronauts Mike Fincke and Zena Cardman along with JAXA astronaut Kimiya Yui and Roscosmos cosmonaut Oleg Platonov.
"This was a deliberate decision to allow the right medical evaluations to happen on the ground, where the full range of diagnostic capability exists," astronaut Colonel Mike Fincke said in a statement posted on social media on Sunday. "It’s the right call, even if it’s a bit bittersweet."
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On Friday, it was announced the SpaceX crew would be undocking from the International Space Station on Wednesday, Jan. 14, one week after the announcement of the crew's departure from the station.
The International Space Station said the crew had a planned splashdown off of California early Thursday morning, weather and recovery conditions permitting.
"This moment highlights the strength of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program and our partnership with SpaceX," Colonel Fincke said. "Dragon provides a safe, reliable, and flexible capability to bring us home on short notice when it’s the right thing to do."
NASA’s SpaceX Crew-11 members stand inside the Space Vehicle Mockup Facility at the agency’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. From left are Mission Specialist Kimiya Yui from JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency), Commander NASA astronaut Zena Cardman, Mission Specialist Oleg Platonov of Roscosmos, and Pilot NASA astronaut Mike Fincke.
(NASA)
Amit Kshatriya, NASA's associate administrator, said once the situation on board stabilized after the medical incident on Wednesday, the agency made the decision to bring the crew back.
"Crew safety has always remained our highest priority," Kshatriya said in an update on Wednesday night. "We never take shortcuts, we never compromise when it comes to protecting our astronauts."
Dr. James Polk, NASA's chief health and medical officer, said this is the first medical evacuation to occur in the International Space Station's 25-year history.
Polk said many models in the ISS's 25-year history indicated there should've been a medical evacuation every three years, but this is the first one ever.
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While no information is being provided on which Crew-11 member suffered the medical situation, Polk stressed that the astronaut was stable.
Dec. 30, 2025: At center, JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut and Expedition 74 Flight Engineer Kimiya Yui assists NASA astronauts Zena Cardman (left) and Mike Fincke (right), the station’s flight engineer and commander respectively, during spacesuit checks inside the International Space Station’s Quest airlock.
(NASA)
Polk said the medical incident was significant enough to want to complete a full medical work-up on Earth where a more robust medical suite will be available.
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said on Thursday that Crew-11, which launched in August, has completed most of its mission objectives.
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According to the post from Colonel Fincke, three crew members that arrived in November will continue the mission. They will then be joined by SpaceX Crew-12 in a few weeks.
This includes NASA astronaut Chris Williams, who will remain aboard the International Space Station, per Issacman.
Currently, the SpaceX Crew-12 launch is planned for Feb. 15 but could be moved up earlier.
The administrators didn't disclose whether the planned spacewalk on Jan. 15 would continue as scheduled.
"It has been a privilege to serve aboard the International Space Station, an extraordinary orbiting laboratory and a symbol of what nations can achieve together," Colonel Fincke said. "Living and working here with our international partners has been both humbling and deeply rewarding."