Name: Astronauts return from ISS after medical issue cuts mission short
Uploaded: 2026-01-15T14:22:23.682Z
Duration: 2 min 33 s
Description: A NASA crew splashed down off the coast of California on Thursday weeks earlier than scheduled due to an astronaut aboard the International Space Station dealing with a medical issue. Mark Strassmann reports on the unprecedented mission home.

A NASA crew splashed down off the coast of California on Thursday weeks earlier than scheduled due to an astronaut aboard the International Space Station dealing with a medical issue. Mark Strassmann reports on the unprecedented mission home.

California

Four astronauts—Zena Cardman, Mike Fink, Kimya Yui, and Oleg Platonov—returned to Earth after spending 167 days aboard the International Space Station. Their mission was cut short due to a medical issue experienced by one crew member, marking the first time a NASA ISS mission has ended early for this reason.

The crew landed safely off the California coast and was transported directly to a San Diego hospital for observation. NASA has not disclosed details about the medical issue or which astronaut was affected, citing privacy rules, but confirmed that all crew members are in good spirits.

Astronauts return from ISS after medical issue cuts mission short

Turning now to some good news, and we need it. Splashdown of Crew 11. After 167 days in space, Dragon and NASA astronauts Zena Cardman and Mike Fink, Kimya Yui of JAXA, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Oleg Platonov are back on Earth. That's great. The NASA crew returned to Earth overnight, weeks ahead of schedule, after one of the astronauts experienced a medical issue in space. Now the four crew members aboard were recovered safely. For NASA, this is the first time a medical incident has ever cut short a mission on the International Space Station. Mark Strassman has more on the efforts to bring them all back home. You're getting your first views of reentry. In the predawn hours off the California coast, the returning capsule streaked toward a splashdown. All in all, a routine end to an unprecedented mission cut short. SpaceX, Dragon, it's so good to be home. And then from that capsule, looking like a charred marshmallow, the crew of four was removed one by one onto the deck of a SpaceX recovery ship. One of them is dealing with an unknown, but concerning, medical issue. It was a serious situation. The astronaut in question is fine right now. Good spirits. Undocking confirmed. Last evening at 520 Eastern time, the crew undocked from the ISS for its nearly 11-hour trip back to Earth. Their mission cut short last week when the ISS crew surprised everyone by calling for help. Do we have a crew session? Yes, we can then work. What's unclear, what the medical problem involves, or which astronaut needs care back on Earth. Retired astronaut Leroy Chow. Although we're very well medically screened and examined before flight, some kind of a medical issue can crop up. What is clear, staying in space posed someone real risk. Astronauts get basic medical training before they launch. At least one medical officer's always aboard the ISS. But this moment proves all that training and onboard medical kit has limits. Commander Mike Fink spoke for all the returning astronauts earlier this week. I wish it were longer, but we have what we have, and it was really, it was a lot of fun. Great to have the crew safely back on Earth. In a break with splashdown protocol, they headed straight to a San Diego hospital for overnight observation. NASA has strict privacy rules, Vlad, which is why everything about this medical issue is such a mystery. Just glad that they're home safe. Mark, thank you very much, appreciate it.

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