NASA's Historic First: Medical Evacuation Recalls 4 Astronauts from ISS Early

• NASA has conducted its first-ever medical evacuation from space, recalling four astronauts from the International Space Station (ISS) ahead of schedule.
• The four astronauts, including Jena Cardman, Mike Fincke (NASA), Kimia Yui (JAXA), and Oleg Platonov (Roscosmos), departed the ISS aboard a SpaceX capsule.
• The mission, Crew-11, was cut short by approximately one month due to an astronaut's ill health, though the specific illness and astronaut's name remain confidential.
• This marks the first time in NASA's 65-year history that a mission has been terminated early solely for medical reasons.
• A planned spacewalk (US EVA 94) on January 8, 2026, involving Mike Fincke and Jena Cardman, was also postponed due to a crew member's medical condition.

Why It Matters: NASA performed its first medical evacuation from space, bringing 4 ISS astronauts back to Earth early due to illness.