ISS astronaut medical evacuation latest news: SpaceX readies Dragon spacecraft for Crew-11 return to Earth
Space••general
Key Points:
- NASA plans to return four Crew-11 astronauts from the International Space Station (ISS) earlier than scheduled due to a medical concern affecting one crew member, with undocking targeted no earlier than Jan. 14 and splashdown off the California coast expected early Jan. 15.
- The affected astronaut's condition is stable and not due to injury but related to prolonged exposure to microgravity; NASA opted for a controlled medical evacuation to provide better treatment on Earth.
- Crew-11 astronauts, including NASA's Zena Cardman (commander) and Mike Fincke (pilot), along with Japanese astronaut Kimiya Yui and Russian cosmonaut Oleg Platanov, have begun preparing for departure by testing spacesuits and packing personal items.
