NASA to Return ISS Crew Early in January 2026 Due to Astronaut Health Issues

Liputan6.com, Jakarta - The United States space agency, NASA, has announced a significant decision to end the SpaceX Crew-11 mission from the International Space Station (ISS) early.

This decision was made following the team's monitoring of a medical issue involving one of the crew members currently stationed aboard the orbiting laboratory.

The official announcement regarding this move was made on Thursday, January 8, 2026, marking a significant change in the mission's operations.

The four astronauts on the Crew-11 mission are expected to return to Earth in the coming days.

They are Zena Cardman and Mike Fincke from NASA, Kimiya Yui from JAXA (Japan), and Oleg Platonov from Roscosmos (Russia).

While the specific reason for the medical issue was not disclosed due to patient privacy, NASA confirmed that the astronauts' conditions are stable and the decision is a precautionary measure.

The Crew-11 mission was originally launched from Kennedy Space Center on August 1, 2025, aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule.

The crew was scheduled to spend at least six months on the ISS and was expected to return around May 2026 but due to this health issue, their return schedule has been significantly accelerated.

WATCH: NASA is considering a rare early return of its crew from the International Space Station over an unspecified medical issue involving one of the astronauts. NASA canceled a planned spacewalk scheduled for January 8, the agency said https://t.co/HCPTPzk4Qk pic.twitter.com/j2d7hxIA5L

— Reuters Science News (@ReutersScience) January 8, 2026

NASA's decision to send the crew home early was based on an unspecified medical issue with one of the astronauts.

To maintain the privacy, NASA did not identify the affected astronaut or provide specific details about the medical issue.

However, NASA confirmed that the crew member in question was in stable condition on the ISS.

Despite the medical condition, NASA firmly stated that this was not an emergency evacuation.

Dr. James Polk, NASA's chief health and medical officer, explained that this step was taken as a precaution due to "persistent risks" and "unanswered questions about the diagnosis."

Amit Kshatriya, a NASA associate administrator, even called this the "first controlled medical evacuation" of the spacecraft, an unusual event in the operational history of the ISS.

This emerging medical issue has had a direct impact on the operational schedule on the ISS.

One immediate consequence was the cancellation of a spacewalk originally scheduled for January 8, 2026.

The spacewalk was scheduled for astronauts Mike Fincke and Zena Cardman to prepare for the installation of additional solar panels on the station.

The Crew-11 mission itself was originally planned for a longer duration.

This crew launched to the space station from Kennedy Space Center on August 1, 2025, aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule.

They were scheduled to stay on the ISS for at least six months and were expected to return to Earth around May 2026.With this early return decision, NASA is now reviewing the exact date for Crew-11's return.

The space agency is also working closely with SpaceX and other international partners to expedite the launch of the Crew-12 mission.

The four astronauts who will return to Earth are part of the Crew-11 mission. They include:

• Zena Cardman (NASA)
• Mike Fincke (NASA)
• Kimiya Yui (JAXA - Japan)
• Oleg Platonov (Roscosmos - Russia)

Their return will take place in the coming days, with NASA and its partners working to arrange the logistics of a safe and efficient return.

Meanwhile, three other astronauts will remain and continue their work aboard the International Space Station.

They are NASA's Chris Williams, and Russia's Sergei Mikayev and Sergei Kud-Sverchkov.

These three astronauts launched in November 2025 and are scheduled to return to Earth next summer, continuing their previously planned crew rotation.