Astronaut Mike Fincke, commander of the International Space Station (ISS), announced that he and his crew will return to Earth earlier than planned due to a medical issue affecting one of the team members. This decision, communicated on social media, was confirmed on Sunday as a precautionary measure to ensure the health and safety of the crew.
In a post on LinkedIn, Fincke, along with Crew 11 members Zena Cardman, Kimiya Yui, and Oleg Platonov, expressed that they are “stable, safe, and well cared for.” He described NASA’s decision to bring them home ahead of schedule as “the right call,” albeit a “bittersweet” one as they look forward to returning to their families and addressing the medical concerns on the ground.
Mission Details and Timeline
If all goes according to plan, the crew is set to undock from the ISS around 5 p.m. EST on February 14, 2024, and will initiate their return journey with a deorbit burn early the following morning. The Crew Dragon’s braking rockets will fire at 02:50 a.m. on February 15, leading to a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Southern California at approximately 3:40 a.m.
After their return, the crew will undergo medical evaluations aboard a SpaceX recovery ship before being transported to shore by helicopter. A NASA plane will then fly them back to the Johnson Space Center in Houston.
The decision to cut short the mission came after a crew member reported a medical issue on February 13, with the specific details of the concern remaining undisclosed due to privacy regulations. Fincke noted the medical problem was not debilitating, emphasizing the precautionary nature of the early return.
Historical Context and Future Plans
This situation marks a significant moment in NASA’s history, being the first instance where a crew has been instructed to shorten their mission due to a medical issue. James Polk, NASA’s chief medical officer, explained that statistical analyses indicate a medical evacuation should occur approximately every three years, yet this is the first such occurrence to date. He reaffirmed that the decision is made out of an abundance of caution for the crew member’s welfare.
Fincke is scheduled to formally hand over command of the ISS to cosmonaut Sergey Kud-Sverchkov in a ceremony prior to their departure. He commended the collaborative efforts of the teams on the ground, stating, “What stands out most to me is how clearly NASA cares about its people.” He highlighted the swift actions of flight surgeons and support teams in ensuring the best outcomes for the crew.
As Crew 11 departs, the ISS will be left in the hands of Kud-Sverchkov and his Soyuz MS-28 crewmates, Sergey Mikaev and Chris Williams, until the arrival of Crew 12. Planned for launch on February 15, Crew 12 includes commander Jessica Meir, Jack Hathaway, Sophie Adenot from the European Space Agency, and Andrey Fedyaev. NASA is currently exploring options to facilitate an earlier launch for Crew 12 to ensure continuous operations aboard the ISS.
Fincke concluded by expressing confidence in the ongoing mission, stating, “We’re leaving the ISS in great hands,” and praised the contributions of the current crew as well as those soon to arrive.