NASA's SpaceX Crew-11 undocks from ISS for return to Earth

SpaceX Crew-11 undocks from the ISS for an emergency return to Earth after a crew member develops a serious medical condition. NASA keeps details private as the capsule heads for a Pacific Ocean splashdown.

Reuters

15 January 2026 at 07:58:44

A still image obtained from social media footage released on January 11, 2026, by JAXA astronaut Kimiya Yui, showing colours of the aurora over Earth, as seen from NASA's International Space Station (ISS).

Kimiya Yui/Reuters

A SpaceX capsule departed the International Space Station on Wednesday (January 114) carrying a four-member crew on an emergency return flight to Earth necessitated by an unspecified serious medical condition afflicting one of the astronauts aboard.

The Crew Dragon capsule carrying two U.S. NASA astronauts, a Japanese crewmate and a Russian cosmonaut undocked from the space station and began its descent from orbit at about 5:20 p.m. EST (2220 GMT) headed for a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean off the California coast early on Thursday.

Live video from a NASA webcast of the departure showed the capsule separating from the ISS and drifting away from the orbiting laboratory as the two vehicles soared some 260 miles (418 km) over the Earth south of Australia.

The plan to bring all four members of Crew-11 home a few weeks ahead of schedule was announced January 8, with NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman saying one of the astronauts faced a "serious medical condition" that required immediate medical attention on the ground.

NASA officials have not identified which of the four crew members was experiencing a medical issue or described its nature, citing privacy concerns.

The crew consists of U.S. astronauts Zena Cardman and Mike Fincke, Japanese astronaut Kimiya Yui and Russian cosmonaut Oleg Platonov. They arrived at the space station following a launch to orbit from Florida in August.

Production: Andrea Rodriguez/Reuters