Human body changes in space as ISS crew makes emergency landing after five months

An ISS crew returned to Earth after their five-month mission was cut short by a medical emergency; one astronaut is receiving treatment and the crew will begin a scheduled rehabilitation programme.

A crew from the International Space Station returned to Earth after their five-month mission was cut short by a medical emergency. Their spacecraft splashed down off the coast of California and received a public welcome on arrival. One astronaut was brought back for treatment of an unspecified serious medical condition and is reported to be in stable condition. Known details: - The mission ended early because of a medical emergency and the spacecraft splashed down off the coast of California, with a welcome for Crew-11 on arrival. - One astronaut has an unspecified serious medical condition; officials said the person was returned to Earth for treatment and is reported as stable. - The returning crew will begin rehabilitation soon after landing; the report notes rehabilitation starts the day after landing and includes about two hours of physical training each day for six weeks. - Studies and agency guidance note common spaceflight effects include bone mineral loss (around 1% per month), muscle atrophy despite onboard exercise, and fluid shifts that can affect vision. - Other documented concerns for prolonged spaceflight include greater exposure to radiation, weakening of aspects of immune response, sleep and circadian rhythm disruption, and changes to the microbiome observed in twin studies. Summary: Officials reported that the mission was cut short due to a medical emergency and the crew returned by splashdown off California. The affected astronaut is on Earth and described as stable, and the rest of the crew will enter a structured rehabilitation programme beginning the day after landing. Undetermined at this time: any further clinical details beyond the reported treatment and the longer-term medical follow-up schedule.