Astro Hawk (Ian Kluft) ✅🚀🛰️"Crew-11 to return early due to a medical concern with astronaut" by @NASASpaceflight - #Crew11 astronauts are returning early from 6-month stay on orbit due to unspecified medical issue with unspecified astronaut. But due to lifeboat requirements, when a spacecraft has to leave, everyone attached to that craft ( #SpaceX #CrewDragon #Endeavour in this case) goes with it. This is the first time #NASA has ended an #ISS crew rotation early for a medical issue. https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2026/01/crew-11-to-return-early-medical-astronaut/ #space
"NASA decides to bring Crew-11 home early, but not an emergency" by Space Policy Online / Marcia Smith - More detail on #NASA decision to bring #Crew11 home from #ISS early due to an unspecified medical issue. A search of history shows how rare this is, but not entirely without precedent. Re-entry schedule TBA for #SpaceX #CrewDragon #Endeavour and crew of 4. https://spacepolicyonline.com/news/nasa-decides-to-bring-crew-11-home-early-but-not-an-emergency/ #space
NASA DECIDES TO BRING CREW-11 HOME EARLY, BUT NOT AN EMERGENCY
Posted: January 8, 2026 9:43 pm ET | Last Updated: January 8, 2026 10:59 pm ET | NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman has decided to bring Crew-11 home early because of a medical concern affecting one of the crew members. NASA is not revealing who it is to … Read More Read More
"ISS astronaut medical evacuation latest news: SpaceX readies Dragon spacecraft for Crew-11 return to Earth" by @Spacecom - Space-dot-com is posting recurring updates to #NASA #Crew11 medical evacuation status. #SpaceX #CrewDragon #Endeavour scheduled to undock from #ISS Wed Jan 14 and splashdown in the Pacific off California early Jan 15. https://www.space.com/live/astronaut-medical-evacuation-on-iss-jan-10-2026 #space
"NASA’s SpaceX Crew-11 Dragon Splashdown at 3:41 am EST" by #NASA Commercial Crew - #SpaceX #CrewDragon #Endeavour safely splashed down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of San Diego, California at 00:41 US Pacific Time. For crew privacy, NASA is not releasing info on which astronaut had the urgent medical condition that led to early return of #Crew11. https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/commercialcrew/2026/01/15/nasas-spacex-crew-11-dragon-splashdown-at-341-a-m-est/ #ISS #space
I was asked if the night splashdown of #Crew11 #CrewDragon #Endeavour indicated extra urgency. Actually, that's normal. #NASA has done night splashdowns after Demo-2 (test pilots before Crew-1) in 2020 off Tallahassee FL was mobbed by gawking civilian boats. It was _extremely_ hazardous for untrained people to approach a spacecraft after re-entry until hazmat-suited specialists with sensors verified deadly-toxic propellants had dispersed. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:SpaceX_Demo-2_Landing_(NHQ202008020020).jpg #ISS #space
"NASA reveals the astronaut who required 1st medical evacuation from the International Space Station" by @Spacecom - With the astronaut's permission, #NASA disclosed that #Crew11 pilot (2nd in command) Mike Fincke was the astronaut with a medical issue that led to early return from #ISS. The issue was urgent but not an emergency, requiring medical equipment not available on station. Details remain private and we should all respect his #privacy, as with anyone. https://www.space.com/space-exploration/human-spaceflight/nasa-reveals-the-astronaut-who-required-1st-medical-evacuation-from-the-international-space-station #space
#NASA used to have a reputation for being almost brutal with intolerance for imperfections in astronauts. They have lightened up in recent years, basically allowing astronauts to be human. (What a thought!) While wishing the best for Mike Fincke, one telling thing to watch for about NASA in the future is if he ever gets a spaceflight assignment again. But even in normal circumstances it's often years between spaceflights, with lots of research & training to perform on the ground. #Crew11 #space