Four astronauts returned to Earth early Thursday, cutting their 167-day International Space Station stay short by more than a month. NASA ordered the early departure after a crew member developed an unspecified medical issue last week. The SpaceX Crew Dragon splashed down on target in the Pacific off San Diego, marking NASA's first-ever medical evacuation from orbit.

The decision wasn't an emergency, officials stressed. NASA's chief medical officer said the astronaut was stable aboard the ISS, but the agency saw 'lingering risk' in waiting for the normal return date. This controlled evacuation allowed the crew member access to more comprehensive treatment on the ground. The early return leaves the station running with a reduced crew until SpaceX's Crew-12 arrives next month.

Commander Zena Cardman and her crewmates—NASA astronaut Mike Fincke, Japanese specialist Kimiya Yui, and Russian cosmonaut Oleg Platonov—exited the capsule in good spirits. They will undergo medical checks in San Diego before returning to Johnson Space Center. NASA officials confirmed the medical issue was not related to the recent Boeing Starliner situation.