Astronauts orbiting the Earth are drilled to deal with the worst possible scenarios. That includes having to leave a doomed space station – quickly.

With its departure ahead of Crew-12's arrival, Crew-11 leaves behind a skeleton crew of three aboard the ISS, including Kud-Sverchov and fellow cosmonaut Sergei Mikaev as well as NASA astronaut Chris Williams. Crew-12 is currently scheduled to launch no earlier than Feb. 15.

For the first time in 25 years of continuous crewed operations, an astronaut has been medically evacuated from the International Space Station (ISS). The Crew-11 mission ended when a SpaceX Dragon capsule brought the four astronauts of Crew 11 home following a medical incident in early January 2026.

Three Expedition 74 astronauts remain aboard the International Space Station conducting research and maintenance while awaiting Crew-12 arrival in February, according to NASA.

Astronauts on the International Space Station were not only treated to a sight from Earth's atmosphere recently but also caught a glimpse of one of the Milky Way's nearest galactic neighbors.

Crew-11 is “safe and in good spirits,” a NASA official said. The team was recalled early after a crew member had a medical problem warranting care on Earth.