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On January 15, 2026, NASA's SpaceX Crew-11 astronauts returned to Earth early due to a medical concern affecting one crew member. The Crew Dragon capsule splashed down off California's coast after a 10.5-hour descent. The affected astronaut is stable, but NASA prioritized ground-based medical evaluation. The ISS now operates with a reduced crew until Crew-12 arrives next month.
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On January 15, 2026, NASA's SpaceX Crew-11 mission returned early to Earth due to a serious but undisclosed medical condition affecting one astronaut aboard the International Space Station. The Crew Dragon capsule splashed down off San Diego after a 10.5-hour descent. The crew of four—two Americans, one Japanese, and one Russian—are stable, with the affected astronaut receiving immediate medical care on the ground.
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A powerful coronal mass ejection from the sun has caused a G4 geomagnetic storm, resulting in widespread auroras visible across Australia, North America, Europe, and parts of New Zealand. The storm, the largest since 2003, may disrupt technology and power systems, with visibility expected to last until early next week.
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NASA revealed the Artemis II mission's Official Flight Kit, including historic flags, moon soil samples, and relics, as the mission approaches its planned February launch. The crew will travel farther than any humans before, including a lunar flyby and record-breaking distances, marking a significant milestone in space exploration.
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On February 15, 2026, NASA's Crew-12 mission successfully docked at the International Space Station (ISS), restoring the full seven-member crew after a month operating with a skeleton team due to a medical evacuation in January. The crew includes Americans Jessica Meir and Jack Hathaway, French astronaut Sophie Adenot, and Russian cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev. They will conduct scientific experiments during an eight-month mission aboard the aging ISS, scheduled for deorbit in 2030.
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NASA announced significant changes to its lunar and deep space missions, including repurposing hardware for nuclear propulsion demonstrations and accelerating plans for a lunar base. The agency aims to demonstrate nuclear electric propulsion by 2028 and build a sustainable lunar presence within a decade, shifting focus from the Gateway station to surface infrastructure.