Astronauts return safely after NASA medical evacuation from space station

Four astronauts returned to Earth after a controlled medical evacuation from the International Space Station, and NASA said the affected crew member was stable; all were taken to a nearby hospital for further tests.

Four astronauts splashed down off San Diego after a controlled medical evacuation from the International Space Station. The return used a SpaceX Crew Dragon and occurred early Thursday morning. NASA said the affected astronaut was stable but did not identify which crew member or the nature of the medical issue. Officials described this as the first time in the ISS's 25-year habitation history that someone returned to Earth because of a health condition. Known details: - The four who splashed down were Zena Cardman and Michael Fincke of NASA, Kimiya Yui of JAXA, and Oleg Platonov of Roscosmos. - The capsule landed in calm Pacific waters off San Diego at 3:41 a.m. Eastern time and recovery teams helped the crew out for initial checks within about an hour. - All four crew members were taken to a nearby hospital for additional tests and were expected to stay overnight before returning to Houston on Friday. - Three astronauts remain aboard the station: Christopher Williams of NASA, and Sergey Kud-Sverchkov and Sergey Mikaev of Roscosmos; they are scheduled to stay until the summer. - NASA called the return a "controlled medical evacuation" because of limited medical capabilities on the station; officials said the affected astronaut had not required an immediate emergency return. Summary: The departure temporarily reduces the station crew but officials expect the shortfall to be limited in time. A Crew-12 mission is scheduled for mid-February and NASA is reviewing whether that launch could be moved earlier; officials said it is too early to know if that would affect Artemis II preparations. Undetermined at this time.