Ailing astronaut returns to Earth
AP News • • science
Key Points:
- An astronaut aboard the International Space Station developed a medical issue, prompting NASA to end the mission more than a month early and return four crew members to Earth in NASA's first-ever medical evacuation from space.
- The SpaceX capsule splashed down in the Pacific near San Diego less than 11 hours after departing the station, with astronauts Zena Cardman, Mike Fincke, Kimiya Yui, and Oleg Platonov safely returning.
- NASA has not disclosed the identity or condition of the ailing astronaut due to medical privacy but confirmed the individual was stable in orbit before the early return for further medical evaluation.
- The early departure means the space station is temporarily staffed with only one American and two Russian astronauts, limiting
