NASA announces first-ever medical evacuation from the ISS in its 25-year history with early Crew-11 splashdown; know date, time and other viewing details

For the first time since the International Space Station became operational more than two decades ago, NASA has confirmed an early return of astronauts for medical reasons. The decision follows the identification of a medical concern involving one crew member aboard SpaceX’s Crew-11 mission.

While NASA has not disclosed further details due to strict medical privacy protocols, the agency stressed that the astronaut is stable and receiving appropriate care. The move marks a historic moment for the ISS programme and reflects NASA’s precautionary approach to astronaut health, prioritising safety over mission timelines as human spaceflight enters an increasingly complex era.

NASA opts for early Crew-11 return after monitoring astronaut health concerns

NASA announced on January 8 that it would return the SpaceX Crew-11 mission to Earth earlier than planned after medical teams began monitoring a health issue affecting one astronaut currently living and working aboard the orbital laboratory.

Officials reiterated that the situation is not an emergency, but the limitations of medical diagnostics in orbit made an early return the most responsible option. Due to medical privacy rules, NASA has stated it is not appropriate to release additional details about the condition.Crew-11 arrived at the ISS on August 2 for a planned six-month stay. The four-member crew includes NASA astronauts Zena Cardman and Mike Fincke, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Kimiya Yui, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Oleg Platonov.

NASA targets January 14 undocking and January 15 splashdown

NASA and SpaceX are targeting no earlier than 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday, January 14, for the undocking of the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft from the International Space Station. The timeline remains subject to weather conditions, spacecraft readiness, recovery team availability, sea states, and other operational factors. Mission managers continue to monitor conditions in the designated recovery zones closely.Following undocking, the Crew-11 spacecraft is expected to splash down off the coast of California at approximately 3:40 a.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, January 15. NASA and SpaceX will confirm the precise splashdown location and timing closer to undocking.

NASA shares key dates and live coverage plans for Crew-11 mission

NASA has confirmed it will provide live coverage of key mission milestones, with all times subject to change based on real-time operations. On Wednesday, January 14, hatch closure coverage will begin at 3:00 p.m.,

followed by hatch closure at 3:30 p.m. Undocking coverage will begin at 4:45 p.m., with undocking scheduled for 5:00 p.m.On Thursday, January 15, return coverage will begin at 2:15 a.m., followed by the deorbit burn at 2:50 a.m. Splashdown is scheduled for approximately 3:40 a.m., and a post-landing media news conference will take place at 5:45 a.m. NASA has said additional details on broadcast coverage will be shared closer to the event.After Crew-11 departs, the International Space Station will continue operations with a reduced crew of three astronauts. NASA’s Chris Williams will remain aboard alongside Russian cosmonauts Sergey Kud-Sverchkov and Sergei Mikayev. While the ISS typically hosts seven astronauts, three-person crews were common during the station’s early years. NASA confirmed that full mission support will continue from Earth to ensure station safety, scientific research, and maintenance operations until the arrival of the next crew rotation.