Four astronauts have safely returned to Earth after an unprecedented medical evacuation from the International Space Station (ISS).
Crew-11 disembarked the Dragon Endeavour capsule at about 01:30 local time (09:30 GMT) off the coast of California, completing a nearly 11-hour journey back to Earth.
The crew, NASA astronauts Mike Fincke and Zena Cardman, Japan’s Kimiya Yui, and Russian cosmonaut Oleg Platonov, are reported to be in “good spirits” and will undergo medical checks following their early return, NASA said.
“It will be a relief and a ‘luxury’ for them to sleep in their own beds, adding they will ‘enjoy simple things,’” said Dr Helen Sharman, the first Briton in space, commenting on the crew’s return.
This marks the first time astronauts have been evacuated from the ISS due to a health issue since the station began operations in 1998.
NASA is holding a news conference regarding the early return, providing updates on the crew’s health and the circumstances leading to the evacuation.
The successful splashdown demonstrates the agency’s ability to carry out emergency procedures for astronauts in space, ensuring their safety even in unprecedented situations.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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