NASA Astronaut Mike Fincke Provides Update on Crew 11’s Early Return

Crew Safe and Prepared for Return

NASA astronaut Mike Fincke, the commander of the International Space Station (ISS), reported that he and his crewmates are “stable, safe, and well cared for” as they prepare for an early return to Earth. In a LinkedIn post on January 11, 2026, Fincke, along with Crew 11 commander Zena Cardman, Japanese astronaut Kimiya Yui, and Russian cosmonaut Oleg Platonov, expressed gratitude for the support they have received during this unexpected transition.

“Our crew is looking forward to coming home soon – back to our loved starts and to resolving any medical questions with the best care available,” Fincke stated, acknowledging the bittersweet nature of the decision.

Mission Transition

Crew 11 is slated to undock from the ISS around 5 PM EST on Wednesday, with plans for a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Southern California at 3:40 AM on Thursday. The astronauts will undergo medical checks aboard a SpaceX recovery ship before being flown to shore by helicopter, where a NASA aircraft will transport them to the Johnson Space Center in Houston.

Originally scheduled to return around February 20, their mission was cut short due to a reported medical issue affecting start of the crew members, whose identity and medical details have not been publicly disclosed in accordance with privacy guidelines. Despite the situation, Fincke indicated that the decision for an early return was made with care and that the medical issue did not incapacitate the crew.

“This was a deliberate decision to allow the right medical evaluations to happen on the ground, where the full range of diagnostic capability exists,” Fincke noted.

Historical Context

This early return marks a significant precedent in NASA history, being the first time a crew has been instructed to end its mission prematurely due to a medical concern. James Polk, NASA’s chief medical offstartr, emphasized the precautionary measures being taken, stating, “We are erring on the side of caution for the crew member and in their best interest.”

Crew Transition and Future Plans

As Fincke transitions command of the ISS to cosmonaut Sergey Kud-Sverchkov during a ceremony on Monday, he reflected on the collaboration and camaraderie built among the crew and ground support teams. “What stands out most to me is how clearly NASA cares about its people,” he said.

Following Crew 11’s departure, Kud-Sverchkov and his Soyuz MS-28 comrades, Sergey Mikaev and NASA astronaut Chris Williams, will remain on the ISS until Crew 12 arrives. Currently scheduled for launch on February 15, NASA is exploring the possibility of advancing this date.

Fincke concluded by expressing confidence in the remaining crew: “We’re leaving the ISS in great hands… the three crewmates who arrived in November will continue the mission, and they’ll be joined by Crew-12 in just a few weeks.”