Four astronauts are set to make an abrupt departure from the International Space Station (ISS), leaving behind a skeletal crew of just three people, after NASA decided to cut short their mission because
of a medical concern. The departing crew- part of the Crew-11 mission- will return to Earth aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule, with the undocking scheduled for Wednesday evening. NASA will livestream the departure on its NASA+ platform.
Why Is NASA Bringing Crew Home Early?
NASA’s new administrator Jared Isaacman ordered the early return last week after the agency cancelled a planned January 8 spacewalk. The decision followed the identification of a medical issue affecting one crew member. NASA has not disclosed which astronaut is involved or the nature of the condition, citing privacy concerns, but said the individual is in stable condition. The agency said bringing the crew home allows doctors to conduct full medical evaluations on the ground.
“For over 60 years, NASA has set the standard for safety in human spaceflight,” Jared Isaacman said, stressing that astronaut health overrides all other considerations.
Who Is Leaving And Who Is Staying On Board?
The Crew-11 team includes NASA astronauts Mike Fincke and Zena Cardman, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Kimiya Yui and Russian cosmonaut Oleg Platonov. Remaining aboard the ISS will be just three astronauts: Russian cosmonauts Sergey Kud-Sverchkov and Sergei Mikaev and NASA astronaut Chris Williams.
Why Is An Understaffed ISS A Concern?
NASA has repeatedly said that keeping the ISS fully staffed is crucial to maximise scientific output during the station’s final years in orbit. The outpost, which costs about $3 billion annually to operate, is expected to be retired in the early 2030s.
With only three crew members on board, some activities will be delayed or dropped altogether. The most immediate casualty is the cancelled spacewalk, which was meant to prepare the station’s exterior for new solar panel installations.
NASA officials say the station can continue “nominal” operations- spaceflight shorthand for normal functioning- but acknowledge that flexibility will be limited.
Has ISS Ever Operated With So Few People Before?
Yes, though not recently. Before SpaceX’s Crew Dragon began routine staffing missions in 2020, NASA often relied on Russia’s Soyuz spacecraft to ferry astronauts after the Space Shuttle was retired in 2011. During that period, the ISS sometimes operated with just three crew members. NASA Associate Administrator Amit Kshatriya said the current crew is fully trained to manage essential systems and research until reinforcements arrive.
What Are Risks Of A Smaller Crew?
Former NASA astronaut Garret Reisman, who once lived on the ISS with a three-person crew, said the biggest risk comes if something breaks outside the station. If a serious external malfunction were to occur on the US side of the ISS, Williams would not be able to conduct a spacewalk alone. That could force one of the Russian cosmonauts to assist using US equipment, potentially with limited preparation. While such scenarios are unlikely, Garret Reisman said they illustrate why NASA prefers to overlap crews rather than leave gaps.
When Will A Replacement Crew Arrive?
NASA is now working to speed up the launch of Crew-12, which was originally planned for mid-February. Until then, the three remaining astronauts will keep the station running with reduced capacity.
Why Does NASA Still Want ISS Fully Staffed?
Jared Isaacman has made it clear that maximising scientific research on the ISS is a priority, especially as NASA looks toward a future where commercial space stations take over operations in low-Earth orbit.
“I dream of the day when we have multiple commercial space stations,” Jared Isaacman said previously, arguing that the ISS must be used to its fullest potential before it is retired.
