The four Crew-11 astronauts have safely landed near California after one of them experienced a health issue in space that forced a medical evacuation.

"Fundamentally, we're in space to learn. It's why NASA prepares for the unexpected  —so we are ready to respond decisively and safely."

NASA’s first medical evacuation from space went smoothly with the four members of SpaceX Crew-11 splashing down in the Pacific Ocean off the California coast early Thursday after an overnight departure from the International Space Station.

For the 1st time in the history of the International Space Station, an astronaut experienced a health issue that required NASA to end a mission early.

The Crew-11 mission has left the International Space Station and have arrived back on Earth. Crew Dragon Endeavour and its crew of four — comprised of two NASA astronauts, one Japanese astronaut, and one Russian cosmonaut — splashed down in the Pacific Ocean at 12:40 AM PST (08:40 UTC) on Thursday, Jan. 15.

Four people from NASA's Crew-11 mission splashed down off San Diego, successfully completing five months aboard the International Space Station. The trip was cut short due to a medical issue.

NASA said the four crew members returned to Earth early Thursday after one of them experienced a medical situation on the International Space Station.