The NASA crew aboard the International Space Station (ISS) is set to return to Earth on Thursday morning. This decision follows a medical situation involving one of the astronauts. NASA’s Administrator Jared Isaacman announced on January 8 that Crew-11 would return ahead of its original schedule for safety reasons.
Astronauts Undock from ISS
Crew-11 undocked from the ISS at 5:20 p.m. ET on Wednesday. The team is expected to splash down off the Californian coast around 3:41 a.m. on Thursday. The astronauts prepared for their return by packing cargo and reviewing procedures to ensure a smooth landing, as reported by NASA.
Return Mission Details
- Crew-11 will return aboard the SpaceX Dragon Endeavor.
- This is the spacecraft that initially brought them to the ISS.
- The crew includes two American astronauts, one Japanese astronaut, and one Roscosmos cosmonaut.
The mission, part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, aims to develop partnerships with private companies for crew transport to and from the ISS. Crew-11’s journey to the station began on August 1, and they were expected to stay until mid to late February.
Health and Safety Precautions
The astronaut involved in the medical situation is stable, as confirmed by Dr. James “JD” Polk during the press conference. NASA prioritized their safety and decided against an emergency evacuation. This medical occurrence marks the first time in 25 years that a crew required an unplanned return for health reasons.
In November, the team celebrated 25 years since the first crew arrived at the ISS, making this mission particularly significant. Additionally, a planned spacewalk for the two American astronauts scheduled for the same day was postponed due to these developments.
