Crew-11 hands over ISS command ahead of first-ever medical evacuation

A change-of-command ceremony on Jan. 12 transferred ISS command from Mike Fincke to Sergey Kud-Sverchkov as NASA prepares to bring Crew-11 home early for an undisclosed medical condition; undocking is scheduled for Jan. 14 with splashdown expected Jan. 15.

A change-of-command ceremony took place aboard the International Space Station on Jan. 12 as Crew-11 prepares for an early departure. NASA announced the Crew-11 mission was cut short after medical concerns led to the cancellation of a spacewalk. The agency did not disclose details about the medical issue or identify the crewmember for privacy reasons. Command of the station was formally transferred from Mike Fincke to Sergey Kud-Sverchkov. Known details: - NASA announced on Jan. 9 that Crew-11 would return early because of medical concerns following a canceled spacewalk. - The change-of-command ceremony occurred on Jan. 12, with Fincke handing the symbolic ISS key to Kud-Sverchkov. - Crew-11 is scheduled to undock on Jan. 14 and is expected to splash down in the Pacific on Jan. 15 after an 11-hour deorbit. - The early departure will leave a three-person crew on station while NASA assesses timing for the Crew-12 rotation and continues planned Artemis 2 rollout activities. Summary: The immediate operational response is an early return for Crew-11 and a formal transfer of station command to maintain continuity. Undocking on Jan. 14 and the planned splashdown on Jan. 15 are the next scheduled steps; timing for Crew-12 is still being evaluated and is undetermined at this time.