US EditionAstronaut Mike Fincke reveals it was his medical issue that led to unprecedented early mission end
Mike Fincke experienced a medical event on Jan. 7 aboard the ISS that led to NASA's first-ever medical evacuation; the mission ended early and the crew received hospital care in San Diego.
- Mike Fincke, a NASA astronaut, said on Feb. 25, 2026, that he is doing well and undergoing standard post-flight reconditioning at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston.
- During spacewalk preparations on Jan. 7, a medical event aboard the International Space Station prompted NASA to order an early return because the ISS lacked advanced medical imaging.
- Crewmates stabilized him, and Fincke said, `But sometimes things happen, and surprises happen. And the team was ready.`
- Following splashdown, the canceled spacewalk led all four astronauts to a San Diego hospital before they flew home to Houston the next day.
- The episode marked NASA's first medical evacuation from the ISS; officials initially withheld Mike Fincke's identity and staffing fell to three until Crew-12 arrived Feb. 13.
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62 Articles
After more than a month of mystery and at the request of the interested party itself, NASA has revealed the identity of the Crew-11 mission member who led the first medical evacuation in the history of the International Space Station (ISS).This is NASA astronaut Mike Finche, Crew-11 pilot and ISS Expedition 74 commander.'I suffered a medical episode that required immediate attention from my incredible crewmates. Thanks to his rapid response and …
NASA's Mike Fincke identifies himself as ailing astronaut who prompted space station evacuation
NASA's Mike Fincke has identified himself as the astronaut whose medical condition prompted the space agency's first medical evacuation. In a written statement, the 58-year-old Fincke revealed Wednesday that he was the ailing crew member last month.
The Independent
The Independent (US)NASA identifies ailing astronaut who sparked space station evacuation
The health concern also forced the cancellation of a planned spacewalk by Fincke and another NASA astronaut
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