Astronauts Begin Return to Earth After Medical Issue

SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule Endeavor is expected to splash down in the Pacific Ocean off the California coast around 3:41 a.m. ET on Jan. 15.

SpaceX Crew Dragon Endeavor is seen departing the International Space Station with NASA’s Crew-11 onboard on Jan. 14, 2026. NASA/Screenshot via The Epoch Times

The first medically-triggered early departure from the International Space Station is underway.

After being given the go-ahead by mission managers more than 24 hours in advance, NASA’s SpaceX Crew-11 undocked from the orbiting laboratory at 5:20 p.m. ET on Jan. 14 and began the journey home.