NASA has confirmed that the crew of the International Space Station (ISS) will return to Earth for medical reasons, marking the first medical evacuation in the station’s history after one of the astronauts experienced a health emergency.
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman stated at a press conference on Thursday that the Crew-11 mission will not continue until its originally scheduled return in February, and that details for the crew’s safe return will be determined within the next 48 hours.
“I have decided that it is in the best interest of our astronauts for Crew-11 to return earlier than planned,” Isaacman said.
The announcement came less than 24 hours after NASA canceled a planned spacewalk scheduled for Thursday due to the same medical issue, emphasizing that the decision was made “out of an abundance of caution for the crew member.”
Who Is Part of Crew-11?
Crew-11 consists of four astronauts:
- Zena Cardman and Mike Fincke (NASA),
- Kimiya Yui (Japan),
- Oleg Platonov (Russian cosmonaut).
The group recently joined Japanese astronaut Koichi Wakata and NASA astronaut Chris Williams aboard the station, who arrived at the ISS in November 2025 aboard the Russian Soyuz spacecraft.
Isaacman clarified that Chris Williams will remain on the ISS with the Soyuz crew to ensure the continued presence of the United States in space.
Astronaut’s Health Condition
NASA has not disclosed the identity of the astronaut who experienced the medical issue. However, the agency’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. James Polk, assured that the astronaut is not in immediate danger and is being cared for by fellow crew members until returning to Earth.
Dr. Polk emphasized that the condition is not related to the canceled spacewalk or other onboard operations.
“This is a medical issue that manifests under the challenging conditions of microgravity,” he explained, without providing further details.
According to NASA officials, no special measures are required to ensure the astronaut’s safety until return, and the condition is considered stable.
An Unprecedented but Planned Evacuation
Although NASA has never before needed to return an astronaut early for medical reasons, evacuation plans have always been part of every ISS mission, with return vehicles ready at all times.
When asked whether there would be an emergency landing to speed up the return, Isaacman said NASA is looking for “the most appropriate timing and landing location.”
“I am proud of the rapid response across the agency to ensure the safety of our astronauts,” he added.
Nevertheless, the NASA Administrator described the situation as “a serious medical condition” that made this historic decision necessary.
Dr. Polk clarified that the situation does not require a rushed evacuation under unsafe flight conditions:
“The astronaut is fully stable. We do not expect drastic changes to timelines or activities.”
What Happens to Upcoming Missions?
Crew-11 arrived at the ISS on August 1, 2025, and their return was originally scheduled for late February. They were set to depart after the arrival of Crew-12 aboard a SpaceX Dragon capsule, no earlier than February 15.
Isaacman stressed that any decision to accelerate Crew-12 will not affect the Artemis II mission, scheduled for February 2026.
He described the two launches as “entirely separate campaigns.” Artemis II will be the first crewed mission to orbit the Moon since 1972.
The ISS Cannot Be Left Uncrewed
The International Space Station must always have astronauts onboard, as they are essential for:
- maintenance and repairs,
- operation of complex experiments,
- management of life-support systems,
- conducting spacewalks.
These tasks cannot be fully automated, making human presence vital for safety and scientific research.
While this marks the first early evacuation of a crew from the ISS, several spacewalks have been canceled in recent years for health-related reasons, including one in 2021 due to a pinched nerve and another in 2024 over spacesuit safety concerns.
