> At a Glance
> – NASA is weighing an early return for Crew-11 after a medical scare on the ISS
> – A Jan. 8 spacewalk was scrapped when one astronaut developed a stable but undisclosed condition
> – The four-person team-Zena Cardman, Mike Fincke, Kimiya Yui, Oleg Platonov-launched Aug. 1, 2025 and was slated to come home in late February
> – Why it matters: A shortened mission would upend the carefully choreographed ISS crew-rotation schedule
NASA could bring Crew-11 home weeks ahead of schedule after an undisclosed medical issue forced the agency to halt a planned spacewalk and reassess the mission timeline.
Medical Concern Triggers Review
The agency revealed the health scare Wednesday afternoon, prompting the postponement of a spacewalk scheduled for Thursday. NASA declined to identify the affected crew member, citing medical privacy, but stressed the person is stable.
> NASA spokesperson stated:
> “Safely conducting our missions is our highest priority, and we are actively evaluating all options, including the possibility of an earlier end to Crew-11’s mission.”
Who’s on Crew-11
- Zena Cardman – NASA astronaut
- Mike Fincke – NASA astronaut
- Kimiya Yui – JAXA astronaut
- Oleg Platonov – Roscosmos cosmonaut
The quartet rocketed to orbit aboard a SpaceX capsule on Aug. 1, 2025, with a planned hand-over to the next four-person team in late February 2026.
What Happens Next
NASA promised a fresh mission-status update within 24 hours and said a new spacewalk date will be announced once flight surgeons clear the crew for outside activities.
> Agency officials added:
> “These are the situations NASA and our partners train for and prepare to execute safely.”
Key Takeaways
- Crew-11’s original return window was late February 2026
- One stable medical issue is enough to trigger a full mission review
- NASA’s next update lands within a day
- A shortened stay would ripple through upcoming ISS crew rotations
The clock is ticking as NASA balances crew safety with the complex logistics of keeping the space station fully staffed.
