NASA Orders First-Ever Medical Evacuation from ISS After Astronaut Falls Ill

• NASA has initiated its first medical evacuation for a four-member crew from the International Space Station (ISS) due to an astronaut falling seriously ill.
• The SpaceX Crew-11 mission is returning to Earth earlier than planned, with a targeted splashdown off the coast of California on Thursday.
• The identity of the sick astronaut and the specific medical issue remain undisclosed, citing patient privacy, though the condition is stable but poses a "lingering risk."
• NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman emphasized the seriousness of the condition, stating that even with a doctor on board, the astronaut would need to return to Earth.
• All four crew members are returning to ensure the ISS maintains sufficient lifeboat capacity for emergencies, as the station is planned for deorbiting by 2030-2031.

Why It Matters: NASA conducts its first medical evacuation from ISS due to a serious, undisclosed astronaut illness.