Astronauts return to Earth early after crew member illness

NASA's Crew-11 returned early from the ISS after a crew member developed an undisclosed medical condition; officials said the astronaut is doing fine and the crew will be monitored.

NASA's Crew-11 returned to Earth earlier than planned after a crew member developed an undisclosed medical condition that shortened the mission by a few weeks. SpaceX guided the Dragon Endeavour to a nighttime splashdown in the Pacific near San Diego less than 11 hours after the crew left the International Space Station. Agency officials declined to identify the astronaut involved, citing medical privacy. NASA described the mission as successful and said the affected astronaut is being monitored. Key facts: - The returning crew included Zena Cardman, Mike Fincke, Kimiya Yui, and Oleg Platonov. - The six-month mission was cut short by a few weeks because a crew member developed an undisclosed medical condition. - The SpaceX Dragon Endeavour performed a Pacific splashdown near San Diego less than 11 hours after undocking from the ISS. - Officials have not released the astronaut's identity and cited medical privacy in withholding details. - NASA said the astronaut was "doing fine," that all crew members will be monitored, and that the health issue did not require changes to undocking procedures. Summary: The return concluded Crew-11's scientific work on the ISS despite the shortened timeframe, and NASA characterized the mission as successful. Officials said the affected astronaut is doing fine and that the agency will provide health updates when it is appropriate; further procedural steps were not specified and remain undetermined at this time.