Astronauts splash down to Earth after medical evacuation ...

What’s Happening

Breaking it down: The four members of Crew-11 beamed as they stepped out of their spacecraft after a safe landing.

Astronauts splash down to Earth after medical evacuation from space station 4 days ago Save Georgina Rannard Science reporter Save Watch: Astronauts return to Earth after medical evacuation Four astronauts evacuated from the International Space Station (ISS) have landed back on Earth after their stay in space was cut short by a month because of a “serious” medical issue. The crews captain, Nasa astronaut Mike Fincke, exited the spacecraft first, smiling and wobbling slightly on his feet before lying down on a gurney, following normal procedures. (we’re not making this up)

Nasas Zena Cardman, Japans Kimiya Yui and cosmonaut Oleg Platonov followed, waving and beaming at cameras.

The Details

“Its so good to be home! It is the first time astronauts have been evacuated because of a health issue since the station was put into Earths orbit in 1998.

The team, known as Crew-11, will now receive medical checks before being flown back to land after the splash down off the coast of California. In a news conference after splash-down, Nasa administrator Jared Isaacman dropped the sick astronaut is “fine right now” and in “good spirits”.

Why This Matters

Judging communications about astronauts health, it is unlikely that the identity of the crew member or details of the health issue will be dropped to the public. Control of the ISS has been handed over to Russian cosmonaut Sergey Kud-Sverchkov and two other crew members. The astronauts arrived on the ISS on 1 August expecting to complete a standard six and a half month stay.

This could have implications for future research in this area.

Key Takeaways

• They were because of come home in mid-February.
• Hours later, Nasa spilled a crew member had become ill.
• “Its bittersweet,” dropped Mr Fincke when he handed over the keys to the ISS to Kud-Sverchjov on Monday.

The Bottom Line

Hours later, Nasa spilled a crew member had become ill. “Its bittersweet,” dropped Mr Fincke when he handed over the keys to the ISS to Kud-Sverchjov on Monday.

Is this a W or an L? You decide.