NASA Astronauts Safely Return to Earth After Historic Medical Evacuation from ISS – SpaceX Crew-11 Mission Concludes Early

Published: January 16, 2026 By ClickUSA News Team www.clickusanews.com

In a groundbreaking moment for space exploration, NASA’s SpaceX Crew-11 mission ended with a successful splashdown in the Pacific Ocean off San Diego early Thursday, January 15, 2026, following the first-ever medical evacuation from the International Space Station (ISS).

The crew—NASA astronauts Zena Cardman (commander) and Mike Fincke, JAXA astronaut Kimiya Yui, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Oleg Platonov—undocked from the ISS on Wednesday, January 14, at around 5:20 p.m. EST. Their SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule, named Endeavour, completed an approximately 11-hour journey before splashing down at 3:41 a.m. EST (12:41 a.m. PST) in calm waters.

The mission, originally slated to last until mid-February 2026 after launching on August 1, 2025, was shortened by about a month due to a serious but stable medical condition affecting one crew member. NASA described the issue as non-emergency and unrelated to any injury from ISS activities. Limited diagnostic capabilities in microgravity prompted the decision for a controlled return to Earth for proper evaluation. The identity of the affected astronaut and details of the condition remain private.

During their 167 days in orbit (165 on the ISS), the Crew-11 team conducted over 140 scientific experiments supporting NASA’s Artemis program and long-term goals for Mars exploration. A planned spacewalk by Cardman and Fincke was canceled last week as teams monitored the health concern.

The capsule’s high-speed reentry produced a sonic boom heard across Southern California just before splashdown, briefly alarming residents and prompting some to check for earthquakes. SpaceX had warned of the potential “brief sonic boom” during descent.

Recovery teams aboard the SpaceX ship Shannon swiftly retrieved the capsule. The astronauts exited in good condition, with Mike Fincke emerging first, followed by Zena Cardman, who said, “It’s good to be home.” Initial medical evaluations occurred on the recovery vessel, after which the crew was transported to a San Diego hospital for overnight monitoring. They are scheduled to travel to NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston for comprehensive post-flight assessments.

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman commended the crew’s composure and the seamless coordination among NASA, SpaceX, JAXA, and Roscosmos. “This crew handled an unexpected situation with professionalism, keeping mission priorities and safety first,” he stated during a post-splashdown briefing.

The ISS now hosts a reduced crew of three: NASA astronaut Chris Williams and Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergey Kud-Sverchkov and Sergei Mikayev. They will manage operations until the arrival of Crew-12, potentially launching earlier than the mid-February target to restore full staffing.

This rare event underscores the health challenges of extended spaceflight and NASA’s commitment to crew well-being. While medical contingencies were anticipated roughly every few years, this marks the first in the ISS era and NASA’s human spaceflight history.

ClickUSA News will continue tracking the crew’s recovery, ISS activities, and preparations for upcoming missions. For the latest updates on space exploration and more, stay with us.

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