The SpaceX Crew-11 astronauts are set to hold their first post-flight news conference today, January 21, 2026, following the first-ever medical evacuation in the history of the International Space Station (ISS).
Top Headline Options
"First-Ever ISS Medical Evacuation: Crew-11 to Discuss Historic Early Return Today"
"Watch Live: SpaceX Crew-11 Astronauts Break Silence on Shortened Mission"
"Back from Orbit: Medically Evacuated Crew-11 to Address Unprecedented Mission Cut"
Event Details & How to Watch
The crew will discuss their 167-day mission, the medical decision that brought them home a month early, and their research accomplishments.
When: Today, Wednesday, January 21, 2026
Time: 2:15 p.m. EST (11:15 a.m. PST)
Where to Watch: Live on
NASA’s YouTube Channel NASA+ Location: NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.
The Mission Context
The Crew-11 mission—consisting of NASA astronauts Zena Cardman and Mike Fincke, JAXA’s Kimiya Yui, and Roscosmos’ Oleg Platonov—splashed down off the coast of San Diego on January 15. NASA made the decision to evacuate the crew on January 7 due to a "serious but non-emergent" medical issue with one crew member. While the specific individual and diagnosis remain private, the agency prioritized returning the astronaut to Earth for advanced diagnostic tools not available on the ISS.
What to Expect
Medical Briefing: While they likely won't name the affected astronaut, they are expected to discuss the logistics and "bittersweet" nature of the first-of-its-kind evacuation.
Science Highlights: Despite the early return, the crew completed over 140 experiments, including critical bone density research and debris-capture technology tests.
Mission Future: Insights into how this evacuation informs safety protocols for future long-duration missions to the Moon and Mars.