Nasa orders its first-ever space station medical evacuation after astronaut falls ill

Agency says US-Japanese-Russian crew of four will return to Earth in the coming days, earlier than planned

Nasa has ordered its first medical evacuation from the International Space Station in its 25-year history after an astronaut in the orbital laboratory fell ill with a serious" but undisclosed issue.

The US space agency said in a press conference that the crew of four led by the US commander Zena Cardman would return to Earth in the coming days, earlier than planned.