Astronauts Evacuate the ISS after Medical Incident

The four members of Crew-11 are on their way back to Earth after one of them became unwell with an unknown condition

By Claire Cameron edited by Jeanna Bryner

Four SpaceX Crew-11 members gather together for a crew portrait wearing their Dragon pressure suits — NASA

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NASA’s medical evacuation of four astronauts from the International Space Station (ISS) is officially underway. On Wednesday at 5:20 P.M. EST, a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule carrying the members of Crew-11 undocked from the station to begin the 10.5-hour-long journey back to Earth.

The capsule is carrying NASA astronauts Mike Fincke and Zena Cardman, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Kimiya Yui and Russian cosmonaut Oleg Platonov. One of the four—NASA has not identified which—experienced an unknown medical issue, the agency announced last week. The crew member has been described as “stable” since the incident occurred.

The ISS is equipped with an array of medical equipment, drugs and diagnostic tools, meaning most minor ailments such as cuts and scrapes can be treated onboard the station. Even teeth can be pulled, and ultrasounds can be done. But NASA has decided that whatever occurred is serious enough to end the crew’s mission a month earlier than planned and bring them home—a first in the history of the ISS.

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The returning Crew Dragon capsule is set to splash down off the coast of San Diego, Calif., at approximately 3:41 A.M. EST. A SpaceX and NASA recovery team will be waiting on the water to meet the crew. NASA administrator Jared Isaacman will speak to the media soon after.

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