ISS astronauts returning home early after crew member illness

NASA's Crew-11 is returning to Earth earlier than planned after an unnamed astronaut experienced a medical issue, and officials say the decision was not emergent but intended to allow a full medical workup on the ground.

NASA's Crew-11 is returning to Earth earlier than planned after an unnamed crew member developed a medical issue. Agency officials described the situation as not emergent but said a full medical evaluation is best done on the ground. Medical experts noted this is the first time in the ISS program's history that a mission has been cut short specifically for a medical reason. Three people will remain aboard the International Space Station while Crew-11 returns. Key facts: - Crew-11 is returning today after an unnamed astronaut experienced a medical issue, and a planned spacewalk was cancelled last week. - NASA's chief health officer said the case was not emergent but that ground-based medical testing is needed to complete the workup. - Medical experts described the decision as unprecedented for NASA in the 25-year history of the ISS. - Two Russian cosmonauts and one NASA astronaut will remain on the station; a new crew (Crew-12) is scheduled to launch on Feb. 15. Summary: Officials say the early return was taken to complete medical testing on the ground rather than because of an immediate emergency. The decision has left a reduced crew on the station while the returning astronauts head home. The next scheduled mission change is the planned launch of Crew-12 on Feb. 15.