Four astronauts evacuated from the International Space Station (ISS) have landed back on Earth after their stay in space was cut short by a serious medical issue.
The crew's captain, NASA astronaut Mike Fincke, exited the spacecraft first, smiling and wobbling slightly on his feet before lying down on a gurney, following normal procedures.
NASA's Zena Cardman, Japan's Kimiya Yui, and cosmonaut Oleg Platonov followed, waving and beaming at cameras. It's so good to be home!, said Cardman.
This marks the first time astronauts have been evacuated due to a health issue since the station was launched into Earth's orbit in 1998.
The team, known as Crew-11, will now receive medical checks before being flown back to land after the splashdown off the coast of California.
In a news conference after the splashdown, NASA administrator Jared Isaacman stated that the sick astronaut is fine right now and in good spirits.
Details surrounding the medical emergency remain private, adhering to NASA's protocol regarding astronaut health disclosures.
Control of the ISS has been handed over to Russian cosmonaut Sergey Kud-Sverchkov and two other crew members.
The astronauts arrived on the ISS on August 1, initially expecting to complete a standard six and a half month stay, with a return schedule set for mid-February.
Last week, a scheduled spacewalk was abruptly canceled, prompting NASA to reveal an unspecified illness among the crew.
Fincke described the situation as bittersweet, emphasizing the stability and care each crew member received during the ordeal.
Orbiting Earth at an altitude of 250 miles, the ISS continues to conduct a wide array of scientific research about space and the effects of microgravity on humans and biological systems. As more individuals embark on space travel, experts advocate for medical professionals to accompany future missions to ensure health concerns can be addressed promptly.
