NASA Recalls Four ISS Astronauts Early Due to Medical Emergency, Leaving Skeletal Crew

• Four Crew-11 astronauts are returning early from the International Space Station (ISS) via a SpaceX Crew Dragon due to an undisclosed medical concern affecting one crew member.
• NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman ordered the early return to allow for full medical evaluations on Earth, prioritizing astronaut health and safety.
• The departing crew includes NASA astronauts Mike Fincke and Zena Cardman, JAXA's Kimiya Yui, and Roscosmos' Oleg Platonov.
• Only three astronauts will remain on the ISS: Russian cosmonauts Sergey Kud-Sverchkov and Sergei Mikaev, and NASA astronaut Chris Williams.
• The reduced crew size will delay or cancel some activities, including a planned spacewalk, impacting scientific output and preparations for new solar panels.

Why It Matters: NASA is bringing four ISS astronauts home early due to a medical issue, prioritizing safety over full staffing.