UNC Alum Zena Cardman Reflects on 5-Month ISS Mission

NASA astronaut discusses readjusting to Earth's gravity after splashing down near San Diego.

Mar. 11, 2026 at 11:26pm

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NASA astronaut and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill graduate Zena Cardman has returned to Earth after a five-month mission on the International Space Station (ISS). Cardman shared the challenges of readjusting to Earth's gravity and the importance of the collaborative, international research conducted on the orbiting laboratory.

Why it matters

Cardman's mission highlights the ongoing scientific research and international cooperation taking place aboard the ISS, as well as the physical and mental demands astronauts face when returning to Earth after extended periods in microgravity.

The details

Cardman and the Crew-11 team safely returned to Earth on January 15, 2026, splashing down in the Pacific Ocean near San Diego. Cardman said there is no typical day in space, with duties ranging from mechanical repairs to biological research. The mission was cut short due to a medical evacuation of another astronaut, but Cardman said the team worked together to prioritize safety. Cardman must now undergo medical evaluation and rehabilitation to readjust to Earth's gravity, particularly rebuilding the small stabilizer muscles that are difficult to maintain in orbit.

  • Cardman and the Crew-11 team returned to Earth on January 15, 2026.
  • Cardman's five-month mission on the ISS began in August 2025.

The players

Zena Cardman

A NASA astronaut and graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill who recently completed a five-month mission on the International Space Station.

Mike Fincke

A NASA astronaut who was the subject of the first medical evacuation from the International Space Station.

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What they’re saying

“It was, I think, overall, an easier transition than I expected it to be, but I miss being on the International Space Station every day. Living and working in that orbiting laboratory was just a dream come true.”

— Zena Cardman, NASA Astronaut

“The most important thing is we were able to prioritize safety of the crew member while also balancing that with risks to our spacecraft and risks to the overall mission of the International Space Station.”

— Zena Cardman, NASA Astronaut

“I sure hope so. I'll go back as soon as they let me.”

— Zena Cardman, NASA Astronaut

What’s next

Cardman must undergo medical evaluation and rehabilitation to readjust to Earth's gravity before potentially returning to space in the future.

The takeaway

Cardman's mission highlights the ongoing scientific research and international cooperation taking place aboard the International Space Station, as well as the physical and mental demands astronauts face when returning to Earth after extended periods in microgravity.