Astronauts splash down off California after medical evacuation

Four astronauts splashed down off the coast of California after leaving the International Space Station about a month early because of a medical issue; NASA said the affected crew member was in stable condition.

Four astronauts returned to Earth after a medical evacuation from the International Space Station and splashed down off the coast of California. NASA said Crew 11’s mission ended about a month early because one crew member became ill. The agency did not provide details about the crew member or the nature of the medical issue but reported that person was in stable condition. The crew had arrived at the station on August 1 for an expected six-and-a-half-month stay. What is known: - Four astronauts — Mike Fincke, Zena Cardman, Kimiya Yui and Oleg Platonov — splashed down off California after leaving the ISS about a month early. - NASA said the mission was cut short due to a medical issue affecting one crew member and that the person was in stable condition. - A planned spacewalk by Fincke and Cardman was called off last week, and hours later NASA announced a crew member had become ill. - The four had arrived at the ISS on August 1 for a planned six-and-a-half-month stay. - The ISS orbits about 250 miles above Earth and completes roughly 16 orbits a day at about 17,500 miles per hour. Summary: The four astronauts have returned to Earth and NASA reported the affected crew member as stable. NASA has not released further details about the medical issue or any follow-up steps. Undetermined at this time.