In an unprecedented move, NASA conducted its first-ever medical evacuation from space, bringing four astronauts home earlier than planned after a crew member on the International Space Station experienced health issues.

Guided by SpaceX, the Dragon capsule made a successful nighttime splashdown in the Pacific Ocean near San Diego, concluding the astronauts’ return less than 11 hours after leaving the space station.

“Dragon has splashed down—welcome back to Earth, @zenanaut, @AstroIronMike, @Astro_Kimiya, and Oleg!” SpaceX announced via social media platform X.

According to NASA, the astronaut experiencing health concerns remained stable while in orbit. However, mission managers opted for an early return to facilitate comprehensive medical evaluation and testing on Earth.

Officials assured that the return followed standard procedures, with medical teams ready for the astronauts’ recovery upon landing.

This screengrab from video provided by NASA shows recovery vessels approaching the NASA’s SpaceX Crew-11 capsule to evacuate one of the crew members after they re-entered the earth in a middle-of-the-night splashdown near San Diego, Calif., Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026.  (NASA via AP)

The mission’s early conclusion left the space station temporarily staffed by just three astronauts — one American and two Russians — a configuration NASA said is manageable but limits some operations. 

Agency officials said no spacewalks, including emergency repairs, can be conducted until the arrival of the next crew.

This screengrab from video provided by NASA shows SpaceX Crew-11 members re entering the earth in a middle-of-the-night splashdown near San Diego, Calif., Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (NASA via AP)

NASA stressed that the decision was precautionary and not the result of an emergency. The health issue emerged on Jan. 7, prompting the cancellation of a scheduled spacewalk the following day and ultimately leading to the shortened mission.

This screengrab from video provided by NASA shows the NASA’s SpaceX Crew-11 members re entering the earth in a middle-of-the-night splashdown near San Diego, Calif., Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (NASA via AP)

It marked the first time NASA has cut short a spaceflight for medical reasons, though similar decisions were made by Russian space programs decades ago.

NASA and SpaceX said they are working to move up the launch of a replacement crew of four, currently scheduled for mid-February.