Medical evacuation: When NASAs Crew-11 astronauts leave ISS, splashdown livestream info

NASA will undock a SpaceX Dragon capsule from the International Space Station and bring four astronauts home Thursday morning after a medical problem prompted an early return.

The move is surprising because it marks the first medical evacuation from the station in its 25 years of continuous use, highlighting the limits of health care in space. The agency will not disclose which astronaut is unwell, citing privacy reasons. 

NASA plans for Crew-11 to depart the station at about 2 p.m. PT / 5 p.m. ET Wednesday, Jan. 14, pending weather and recovery conditions. The ship is targeted to splash down in the Pacific Ocean off California at about 12:40 a.m. PT / 3:40 a.m. ET Thursday, Jan. 15.

How to watch Crew-11 return

Live coverage is scheduled to begin at noon PT / 3 p.m. ET Wednesday for the hatch closing on the spacecraft and departure. NASA plans to resume coverage of the return at 11:15 p.m. PT Wednesday / 2:15 a.m. ET Thursday, with a news briefing following a few hours later.

NASA officials said one crew member experienced a serious medical issue that requires a full diagnostic workup on the ground. The astronaut is stable, officials said. NASA characterized the event as a "controlled expedited return," not an emergency deorbit, meaning the crew will follow standard landing rules and approved splashdown zones.

Crew-11 includes commander Zena Cardman, pilot Mike Fincke, Japan’s Kimya Yui, and Russia’s Oleg Platonov. NASA has not identified the affected astronaut, citing medical privacy. Japan’s space agency said Yui is not the ill or injured party, according to Japanese news reports.

The agency announced the early return after canceling a planned spacewalk last week. Fincke and Cardman had been preparing for a solar panel project when a medical concern arose. Officials said the issue was not related to station operations, spacewalk preparations, or a work-related injury.

After Dragon departs, American astronaut Chris Williams, who arrived on a Russian Soyuz spacecraft in November, will remain as the only U.S. crew member aboard the station, supported by Russian colleagues until Crew-12 launches, potentially in mid-February.

NASA said the splashdown and recovery will proceed normally, with flight surgeons on the recovery ship and hospitals on standby.