Watch: Astronauts return to Earth after medical evacuation
Watch: Astronauts return to Earth after medical evacuation

Four astronauts who left the International Space Station (ISS) a month early due to one of the crew members falling ill have returned to Earth on Thursday.
Read the full article on BBC World
Truth Analysis
Analysis Summary:
The article is mostly accurate, stating that four astronauts returned to Earth early from the ISS due to a medical evacuation. The article presents the information in a straightforward manner with minimal bias, although the limited scope prevents a comprehensive assessment. The date in the space.com article is in the future, which is likely a typo.
Detailed Analysis:
- Claim: Four astronauts returned to Earth after leaving the ISS a month early.
- Verification Source #2: Confirms the early return due to a medical evacuation.
- Verification Source #4: Confirms four astronauts are returning early due to a medical concern.
- Assessment: Supported
- Claim: The return was due to one of the crew members falling ill.
- Verification Source #2: States the return is a medical evacuation.
- Verification Source #4: States the return is due to a medical concern.
- Verification Source #5: States the return was due to a medical emergency.
- Assessment: Supported
- Claim: The astronauts returned on Thursday.
- Verification Source #1: States the expected splashdown is on Thursday, January 15.
- Assessment: Supported
Supporting Evidence/Contradictions:
- Source 2: Nasa astronauts begin 'bittersweet' medical evacuation from space ... Watch: Moment Crew 11 undocks and begins early journey back to Earth ... medical evacuation since the station was put into Earth's orbit in 1998.
- Source 4: Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026: NASA is returning four astronauts to Earth early from the International Space Station due to a medical concern
