Astronauts splash down on Earth after first-ever ISS medical evacuation

Al JazeeraCenterEN 2 min read 100% complete by Al JazeeraJanuary 15, 2026 at 08:30 AM

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A SpaceX Dragon capsule carrying four astronauts splashed down in the Pacific Ocean near San Diego on January 15, 2026, concluding the first-ever medical evacuation from the International Space Station (ISS). The crew, consisting of American astronauts Mike Fincke and Zena Cardman, Russian cosmonaut Oleg Platonov, and Japanese astronaut Kimiya Yui, returned to Earth earlier than planned due to a crew member's serious medical condition. NASA announced the early end to SpaceX Crew-11's mission on January 8, citing crew privacy and stating the issue was unrelated to space station operations. The astronauts had spent 167 days on the ISS as part of SpaceX's 11th crewed mission and NASA's Expedition 74, conducting a long-duration science mission. NASA officials emphasized prioritizing the astronaut's health and welfare in the decision to expedite their return.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

United States Air Force 30% California 40% James Polk ×240% San Diego 50% Pacific Ocean 60% Kimiya Yui 70% Mike Fincke ×270% Zena Cardman 70% Oleg Platonov 70% SpaceX ×480% International Space Station ×390% NASA ×590%

Keywords

medical evacuation 100% international space station 90% astronauts 80% spacex 70% nasa 70% space mission 60% crew health 60% spacex dragon 50% expedition 74 40%