NASA Pulls Crew-11 From ISS Early Due to Medical Issue

NASA has decided to bring the Crew-11 team back from the International Space Station earlier than originally scheduled due to a medical issue involving one of its four members. The specific details of the crew member’s condition have not been disclosed, but the individual is reportedly stable and under close observation. This development prompted the agency to delay the first spacewalk of 2026, which was planned for Thursday.

The astronaut’s identity remains confidential, in line with medical privacy regulations. NASA has emphasized that, while health incidents among astronauts are uncommon, the agency is fully equipped to handle such situations during extended missions in space. A spokesperson mentioned, “Safely conducting our missions is our highest priority, and we are actively evaluating all options, including the possibility of an earlier end to Crew-11’s mission.”

This situation began unfolding Wednesday afternoon when a medical concern arose aboard the ISS, leading NASA to take its live video feeds of the station offline as a precaution. Astronauts on the ISS have access to essential medical supplies and round-the-clock support from flight surgeons on the ground. However, if a serious health issue were to arise, evacuation via the docked Dragon spacecraft could be necessary for a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean.

This marks a significant departure from typical operations at the ISS. Although past individual spacewalks have been postponed due to minor issues, this is the first instance of an entire crew rotation being cut short because of a medical emergency. Notably, the health issue was not linked to preparations for the spacewalk, which would have required extensive pre-breathing procedures.

Crew-11, which arrived at the ISS on August 2, 2025, aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, includes NASA astronauts Zena Cardman and Mike Fincke, Japanese astronaut Kimiya Yui, and Russian cosmonaut Oleg Platonov. The crew was approaching the close of their planned six to eight-month mission, initially set to conclude in late February 2026 after the arrival of the next crew, Crew-12.

The cancelled spacewalk, known as U.S. Spacewalk 94, would have involved Cardman and Fincke preparing a power channel for the future installation of additional solar arrays, an important upgrade for enhancing the ISS’s power capabilities ahead of its eventual retirement.

As the Crew-11 members prepare for their departure, they will leave the remaining Expedition 74 crew to continue operations until Crew-12 arrives. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman noted that the situation does not require an emergency return, allowing for a planned and safe approach for the crew’s splashdown in the coming days. Assessments are currently underway regarding the timeline for the next crew’s launch, which is expected to take place no earlier than February 15.