• Nasa successfully performed its first medical evacuation of astronauts.
• Four astronauts returned early from the International Space Station, reducing their mission by over a month.
• The Crew-11 mission included astronauts from the US, Japan, and Russia.
• The evacuated astronaut is reported to be stable and receiving care on Earth.
• Nasa plans to launch a replacement crew in mid-February.

Nasa has successfully executed its first medical evacuation, returning four astronauts early from the International Space Station (ISS) due to a medical issue with one crew member. The evacuation involved American astronauts Zena Cardman and Mike Fincke, Japanese astronaut Kimiya Yui, and Russian cosmonaut Oleg Platonov, who are scheduled to splash down in the Pacific Ocean near San Diego. This early return has cut their mission short by more than a month, a decision that was made to allow the affected astronaut appropriate medical evaluation, according to SCMP, India Times, and Al Jazeera.

The astronauts undocked from the ISS less than 11 hours before their scheduled splashdown, with Nasa officials noting that the medical condition was unrelated to operations such as spacewalk preparations and did not constitute an emergency. Outgoing ISS commander Mike Fincke confirmed that the astronaut in question was “stable, safe, and well cared for,” reiterating that the decision aimed to ensure the best possible health outcomes, as reported by LA Times and NPR.

NASA has not disclosed further details concerning the health issue, invoking privacy protocols for the astronaut involved. The early return decision was made just days after the health concern prompted the cancellation of a forthcoming spacewalk, with Nasa ultimately prioritizing the astronaut's health over mission continuity. As emphasized by Nasa's new administrator Jared Isaacman, the health, well-being, and safety of the crew are paramount, according to India Times and Al Jazeera.

With the Crew-11 mission's conclusion, only three astronauts remain aboard the ISS, including two Russians and one American. The mission originally launched in August and was expected to conclude in mid-February, but will now be followed by the upcoming Crew-12 mission, which is currently targeted for launch in the same month, as reported by NPR and LA Times.