Four astronauts return safely to Earth from space station after medical evacuation

Four astronauts returned to Earth early Thursday from the International Space Station, splashing down safely in the Pacific Ocean after NASA ordered them home early because of a medical issue with one of the crew members.

Crew 11 commander Zena Cardman, co-pilot Mike Fincke, Russian cosmonaut Oleg and Japanese astronaut Kimiya Yui and landed off the coast of California at 3:41 a.m. EST, NASA said.

The splashdown ended a 167-day abbreviated stay in space and occurred six days after NASA ordered the astronauts home because of a medical issue with one crew member.

Because of medical privacy, the astronaut and the ailment was not disclosed.

It was the first ever medical evacuation for America's space program.

“It’s so good to be home,” Commander Cardman declared.