Astronaut's Early Earth Return Marks NASA's First Medical Evacuation

An ailing astronaut's early return from the International Space Station marks NASA's first medical evacuation. SpaceX successfully guided the capsule to a splashdown in the Pacific. NASA plans to accelerate the launch of a new crew, following the unexpected mission finish due to health concerns.

An ailing astronaut returned to Earth alongside three others on Thursday, concluding their space station mission more than a month early, in a landmark medical evacuation by NASA.

SpaceX directed the capsule for a middle-of-the-night splashdown near San Diego just under 11 hours after leaving the International Space Station. The abrupt mission end leaves one American and two Russians aboard.

NASA and SpaceX are seeking to advance the launch of a new crew of four, aiming for a mid-February liftoff. Medical privacy prevents disclosure of the affected astronaut's condition, but the astronaut was stable, necessitating timely diagnostic tests on Earth.

(With inputs from agencies.)