Crew-11 is set to make a splashdown off the California coast Thursday morning as part of their return journey from the International Space Station (ISS). The mission, which includes astronauts Oleg Platonov, Mike Fincke, Zena Cardman, and Kimiya Yui, undocked from the ISS at 5:20 p.m. ET on Wednesday. NASA has announced that they are anticipated to land around 3:41 a.m. Thursday aboard the SpaceX Dragon Endeavor, the same spacecraft that transported them to the station.
This decision to return the Crew-11 mission early was made by NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman due to a medical situation involving one of the astronauts onboard, although specific details about the individual or symptoms remain private for confidentiality reasons. Dr. James “JD” Polk reported that the affected astronaut is in stable condition, eliminating the need for an emergency evacuation.
Preparations for their return included packing cargo, going over procedures for landing, and transferring equipment aboard the ISS. Crew-11 is part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, which collaborates with private companies to facilitate human transportation to and from the ISS. This mission marks the 11th crew rotation for SpaceX’s human space transportation system and its 12th mission with astronauts.
In a historic context, the crew’s return coincides with the 25th anniversary of the first crew arrival at the ISS, highlighting a significant milestone in the ongoing exploration and research efforts conducted in space. While the early return of Crew-11 due to health concerns presents challenges, it underscores NASA’s prioritization of astronaut safety and well-being in all operations.