HOUSTON – For the first time in the 25-year history of the International Space Station (ISS), NASA has ordered a “controlled medical evacuation” to bring a crew home early. On Friday, January 9, 2026, NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman confirmed that the four-member SpaceX Crew-11 mission will undock next week following a medical situation that surfaced on January 7.
While officials emphasize that the affected astronaut is currently stable and the situation is not a “life-threatening emergency,” the inability to perform advanced diagnostics in microgravity has prompted the early return to ensure the crew member’s long-term safety.
1. The Return Timeline
NASA and SpaceX are coordinating a standard, though accelerated, return procedure to ensure a safe splashdown.
- Undocking: Targeted for Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, at 5:00 PM ET.
- Splashdown: Targeted for Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, at 3:40 AM ET off the coast of California.
- The Decision: The move follows the indefinite postponement of a planned January 8 spacewalk by Mike Fincke and Zena Cardman.
2. Meet the Returning Crew-11
The crew launched on August 1, 2025, and was originally scheduled to remain in orbit until late February or March 2026.
| Astronaut | Role | Agency |
| Zena Cardman | Mission Commander | NASA |
| Mike Fincke | Pilot (4-time veteran) | NASA |
| Kimiya Yui | Mission Specialist | JAXA (Japan) |
| Oleg Platonov | Mission Specialist | Roscosmos (Russia) |
Note: American astronaut Chris Williams (who arrived via a separate Russian Soyuz mission) will remain aboard the ISS to maintain a U.S. presence until the Crew-12 relief mission arrives.
3. Medical Privacy and “Lingering Risk”
NASA has strictly withheld the identity of the affected astronaut and the nature of the condition, citing medical privacy protocols. However, Chief Health and Medical Officer Dr. James Polk provided key insights:
- The Cause: The issue was not caused by an injury or an operational accident; it developed due to the microgravity environment.
- The Reason for Return: While the ISS has medical kits for routine issues (like blood clots or infections), complex conditions require Earth-based equipment like MRI or advanced surgical suites.
- Stable but Serious: Isaacman noted that even if a physician were currently on board, NASA would still prioritize an Earth return to mitigate “lingering risks.”
4. Impact on ISS Operations
The early departure leaves the ISS with a reduced crew of just three (Williams and two Russian cosmonauts) for a brief period.
- Crew-12 Acceleration: NASA is currently evaluating whether it can move up the launch of the Crew-12 mission, previously targeted for mid-February.
- Spacewalk Delays: Critical upgrades to the station’s solar arrays (iROSAs) have been put on hold as the agency focuses on the evacuation.