NASA is bringing four astronauts home from the International Space Station (ISS) earlier than planned due to a medical issue involving one crew member. The agency announced Thursday, January 8, 2026, that the Crew-11 mission will end a month early, marking the first time a U.S. space mission has been cut short for medical reasons.The unidentified astronaut is stable, but needs care that is only available on Earth.[spaceflightnow+8]
Astronaut Medical Situation Leads to Early Return
The medical situation arose on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, prompting NASA to cancel a planned spacewalk for the next day.NASA officials have not named the astronaut or provided specific details about the condition, citing patient privacy.However, they confirmed the issue was not an injury and was unrelated to space operations or spacewalk preparations.[spaceflightnow+13]
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman stated the decision was made "in the best interest of our astronauts."He emphasized that this is not an emergency evacuation, but a cautious move to ensure the astronaut's well-being.Dr. J.D. Polk, NASA's chief health and medical officer, noted that the ISS does not have the extensive diagnostic and treatment tools needed for this particular medical issue.[spaceflightnow+12]
Crew-11 Launched Last August
The four-person Crew-11 launched to the ISS on August 1, 2025, aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft.The crew includes NASA astronauts Zena Cardman and Mike Fincke, Japan's Kimiya Yui, and Russia's Oleg Platonov.They were originally scheduled to return around February 20, 2026.The early return means they will undock from the station no earlier than 5 p.m. Eastern time on January 14, 2026, depending on weather.[spaceflightnow+9]
All four crew members must return together because they share the same Crew Dragon spacecraft for transportation.NASA has continuously inhabited the ISS since 2000, and this marks the first medical evacuation in the station's 25-year history.[smithsonianmag+5]
Station Operations Continue
Despite the early departure of Crew-11, the International Space Station will remain staffed. NASA astronaut Chris Williams, who launched in November 2025 aboard a Russian Soyuz spacecraft, will stay on board.He will be joined by two Russian cosmonauts, Sergei Mikaev and Sergei Kud-Sverchkov, ensuring the station maintains its minimum operational crew level.[pbs+6]
NASA prioritizes astronaut health and safety in all missions. This decision highlights the agency's commitment to providing the best possible care for its crew members, even if it means altering mission plans.
