NASA conducts first medical evacuation, sending four astronauts back to Earth

NASA returned four astronauts early from the International Space Station so one crew member could receive medical evaluation on the ground; officials said the astronaut is stable and will be cared for.

NASA returned four astronauts early from the International Space Station to allow one crew member to receive medical care on Earth. Officials said the astronaut is stable, safe and will be evaluated by medical teams on the ground. The decision shortens a mission that had been scheduled to continue into late February and is described as the agency's first medical evacuation. Key details: - Four crew members — from the United States, Russia and Japan — undocked together and are scheduled for a Pacific splashdown near San Diego with SpaceX. - Officials declined to identify the astronaut or disclose medical details, citing medical privacy, and described the person as stable and well cared for. - NASA said it was safer to bring the astronaut to Earth where a fuller range of diagnostic capability exists, and it will pause routine and emergency spacewalks until a replacement crew arrives. - NASA and SpaceX are working to move up the next four-person launch, which is currently targeted for mid-February. Summary: Bringing the astronaut to Earth allows fuller medical evaluation and reduces the station crew for the near term. Immediate actions are the planned splashdown and on-the-ground medical assessments, followed by efforts to accelerate the next crew launch. Longer-term impacts on station operations will depend on the timing of that replacement crew.