SpaceX Dragon Brings Crew-11 Home Early Due to Medical Emergency

• SpaceX's Crew-11 mission returned to Earth early on January 15, splashing down off the coast of California after 167 days on the ISS.
• The four-person crew, including Oleg Platonov, Kimiya Yui, Zena Cardman, and Mike Fincke, ended their mission early due to the first medical evacuation in ISS history.
• The Crew Dragon capsule Endeavour landed safely in the Pacific Ocean near San Diego at 3:41 AM EST, concluding an 11-hour descent.
• One crew member had an unidentified medical condition, prompting the early return, though NASA confirmed the astronaut was stable.
• The early departure led to quick preparations and the postponement of a scheduled spacewalk, with the ISS operating with a smaller crew until Crew-12 arrives.

Why It Matters: SpaceX Crew-11 returned early from ISS due to a medical emergency, marking a historic first for the station.