4 Space Station Crewmates Back on Earth After Medical Issue Cut Mission Short

[Ghoti Ichthus]

4 Space Station Crewmates Back on Earth After Medical Issue Cut Mission Short​

By William Harwood
Updated on: January 15, 2026 / 7:41 PM EST / CBS News

"Four space station fliers undocked and plunged back to Earth, safely splashing down in the Pacific Ocean early Thursday off the Southern California coast six days after NASA ordered them home early because of a medical issue.
Descending under four large parachutes, Crew 11 commander Zena Cardman, co-pilot Mike Fincke, Japanese astronaut Kimiya Yui and Russian cosmonaut Oleg Platonov landed in the Pacific off San Diego at 3:41 a.m. EST, closing out a 167-day stay in space."

"NASA's chief medical officer said it was not an emergency return in any normal sense, but the decision marked the first time in NASA history that a spaceflight was cut short due to a medical concern."

"Under strict medical privacy guidelines, NASA has not identified the astronaut who had the medical issue in orbit or provided any details about its nature."

More

4 space station crewmates back on Earth after medical issue cut mission short

Four space station Crew 11 fliers splashed down off the Southern California coast at 3:41 a.m. ET, closing out a 167-day stay in space cut short by a medical issue.

www.cbsnews.com

 

[Ghoti Ichthus]

The first part of this article is essentially a duplicate of the OP. The latter part explains the medical issues astronauts face after returning to earth.

NASA Crew Evacuated for Medical Concern, But Strange Health Issues Await All Astronauts on Earth​

A. Pawlowski
NASA's SpaceX Crew-11 returned to Earth early to bring back a member with a medical issue. Astronauts who spend a long time in space may have brain changes, 'baby feet' and more.
Updated Jan. 15, 2026, 7:42 AM CST / Source: TODAY
"What Health Issues Do Astronauts Have?
No matter how healthy astronauts are, they face a variety of health problems back on Earth — from weaker bones and muscles to vision issues and “baby feet” — as their bodies adjust back to the planet’s gravity.
“Astronauts say they often feel wobbly and nauseated when they return to Earth because the ear’s vestibular system has to readjust,” NBC’s Tom Costello said when Williams and Wilmore returned.
Here are other health issues the astronauts may deal with after a long stay in space:"

More

https://www.today.com/health/news/nasa-astronauts-medical-evacuation-health-problems-rcna254055