Astronauts splash down after medical evacuation from space station

Crew 11 astronauts splashed down following a medical evacuation from the International Space Station, and officials reported the crew were stable and being cared for.

Four members of Crew 11 returned earlier than planned after a medical evacuation from the International Space Station. They had arrived at the station on 1 August for a standard six-and-a-half month mission. A scheduled spacewalk was canceled last week after officials reported a crew member had become ill. Command of the ISS was handed over to Russian cosmonaut Sergey Kud-Sverchkov and two other crew members. Reported details: - Crew 11 comprised Mike Fincke, Zena Cardman, Japan's Kimiya Yui and cosmonaut Oleg Platonov. - The crew had been due to return to Earth in mid-February after a planned mission of about six and a half months. - A spacewalk by Fincke and Cardman was called off at the last minute. - Hours after the cancellation, NASA announced a crew member had become ill, and a medical evacuation followed. - Mike Fincke said the handover was bittersweet and reported that the crew were stable, safe and being cared for in a social media post. - Control of the ISS was transferred to Sergey Kud-Sverchkov and two other crew members. Summary: The splashdown completed an unplanned early return after a reported medical issue aboard the station; officials said the returning crew were stable and receiving care. Undetermined at this time.