A multinational crew of four astronauts departed the International Space Station (ISS) on Wednesday, beginning their journey back to Earth approximately one month ahead of schedule. The early return was prompted by an undisclosed medical issue affecting one of the crew members, according to NASA officials.
The SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule, carrying the four astronauts, undocked from the orbiting laboratory at 5:20 p.m. Eastern Time. The mission is now proceeding with a planned splashdown in the Pacific Ocean early Thursday morning.
Key Takeaways
- Four astronauts are returning from the ISS about a month earlier than planned.
- The early departure is a precautionary measure due to a non-emergency medical issue with one crew member.
- The return journey in a SpaceX Crew Dragon will follow standard procedures, with a splashdown expected off the coast of Southern California.
- The ISS will operate with a reduced crew of three until the next mission arrives, which NASA may expedite.
An Unscheduled Departure
The decision to bring the crew home was made last week after a medical issue was reported. NASA has not identified the astronaut involved or the nature of the condition, but emphasized that the situation is not an emergency and the individual is stable. The agency also clarified that the health issue was not related to a recently canceled spacewalk or any work-related injury aboard the station.
The returning crew consists of NASA astronauts Zena Cardman and Michael Fincke, Kimiya Yui of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), and Oleg Platonov of the Russian space agency Roscosmos. For Cardman and Platonov, this was their inaugural spaceflight. The mission marked the fourth for veteran astronaut Fincke and the second for Yui.
A Controlled Medical Evacuation
While the term "evacuation" might suggest an urgent crisis, NASA has described the situation as a "controlled medical evacuation." This indicates a planned, procedural return rather than a rapid, emergency descent. The process mirrors a standard crew rotation, simply executed on an accelerated timeline to ensure the astronaut has access to comprehensive medical care on Earth.
The Journey Home
Following the undocking, the Crew Dragon capsule entered a period of orbital phasing that will last approximately nine and a half hours. This phase is necessary to align the spacecraft's trajectory perfectly with the designated landing zone in the Pacific Ocean.
Once aligned, the capsule will perform a deorbit burn, firing its thrusters to slow down and begin its descent through Earth's atmosphere. During this reentry, the astronauts will experience significant g-forces as the spacecraft rapidly decelerates. After slowing sufficiently, a series of parachutes will deploy to ensure a gentle splashdown.
Return Timeline
- Undocking: 5:20 p.m. ET, Wednesday
- Orbital Phasing: Approx. 9.5 hours
- Splashdown: Expected at 3:41 a.m. ET, Thursday
A recovery ship is positioned near the splashdown site to retrieve the capsule from the ocean. Once aboard the ship, the crew will undergo initial medical checks before being flown by helicopter to the mainland for more thorough evaluations.
Life on a Temporarily Short-Staffed Station
The departure of the four astronauts leaves the International Space Station with a skeleton crew of three. NASA astronaut Christopher Williams, along with Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergey Kud-Sverchkov and Sergey Mikaev, will remain aboard to continue station operations and scientific research.
While the ISS has operated with smaller crews in its early years, a three-person team is a significant reduction from the typical six or seven members. Williams is trained to manage the U.S. Operating Segment of the station, while his Russian colleagues will maintain the Russian segment.
"The remaining crew are fully capable of maintaining station operations. We are confident in their ability to manage the outpost until the next crew arrives."
This period of reduced staffing is expected to be brief. The next crewed mission, which includes four more astronauts, is scheduled to launch in mid-February. However, NASA officials have indicated they are exploring options to potentially move up the launch date to restore the station to its full operational capacity sooner.
The Next Crew Awaiting Launch
The upcoming mission will carry a diverse international team to the station for a planned nine-month stay. The crew will consist of:
- Jessica Meir (NASA)
- Jack Hathaway (NASA)
- Sophie Adenot (European Space Agency)
- Andrey Fedyaev (Roscosmos)
Their timely arrival will be crucial for resuming the full schedule of scientific experiments and maintenance tasks that are the core purpose of the orbiting laboratory. The ability to adjust launch schedules demonstrates the flexibility that commercial partners like SpaceX provide to the ISS program, ensuring continuous human presence and research in space.