Mike Fincke evacuated for medical reasons after ISS incident, with cause unknown as officials monitor health and review mission safety protocols
TOI GLOBAL DESK | TOI GLOBAL | Mar 27, 2026, 22:40 IST
NASA Astronaut Mike Fincke's medical issue prompts early return of SpaceX Crew-11 from ISS
While on a mission aboard the International Space Station, veteran astronaut Mike Fincke suddenly fell ill under mysterious circumstances. This unforeseen health scare prompted his crewmates to cut their stay short and return to Earth. Medical professionals are currently baffled, as they have yet to identify the source of this brief but concerning episode.
Astronaut Mike Fincke, who experienced NASA's first medical evacuation from the International Space Station earlier this year, stated Friday that doctors have not yet determined the cause of his sudden illness. The incident occurred on January 7th while Fincke was preparing for a spacewalk. His crewmates observed him in distress, prompting an immediate request for assistance from ground-based flight surgeons.
Fincke described the episode as "completely out of the blue" and "amazingly quick." The event lasted approximately 20 minutes, after which he felt fine and continues to do so. He has never experienced anything similar before or since.
Doctors have ruled out a heart attack, and Fincke confirmed he was not choking. However, other possibilities remain under consideration, potentially linked to his extensive time in weightlessness. He was five and a half months into his latest mission when the problem struck.
"My crewmates definitely saw that I was in distress," Fincke said, noting that all six crew members gathered around him. "It was all hands on deck within just a matter of seconds."
Fincke declined to provide further details about his medical episode, explaining that NASA aims to protect the medical privacy of astronauts. The space station's ultrasound machine proved useful during the event. Since returning to Earth, Fincke has undergone numerous tests. NASA is also reviewing other astronauts' medical records for any related past incidents in space.
He publicly identified himself late last month to end public speculation. Fincke expressed regret that his illness led to the cancellation of a spacewalk, which would have been his tenth. It also resulted in an early return for his crewmates Zena Cardman and two others. SpaceX brought them back on January 15th, more than a month ahead of schedule, and they were taken directly to the hospital.
"I’ve been very lucky to be super healthy. So this was very surprising for everyone," Fincke stated.
NASA's new administrator, Jared Isaacman, encouraged Fincke to stop apologizing for the incident. His colleagues reassured him, saying, "This wasn’t you. This was space, right? You didn’t let anybody down."
Fincke remains optimistic about the possibility of returning to space in the future.
The incident occurred on January 7th, during Fincke's preparation for a spacewalk scheduled for the following day. He was eating dinner when the sudden illness struck.
Fincke, a retired Air Force colonel and four-time space flier, is 59 years old. The episode was brief, lasting about 20 minutes, and he felt normal afterward.
He emphasized that the cause of his illness remains unknown to doctors.
"It was completely out of the blue. It was just amazingly quick," he said in an interview with The Associated Press from Houston's Johnson Space Center.
While a heart attack has been excluded, Fincke stated that all other potential causes are still being investigated. He suggested a possible connection to his 549 days spent in weightlessness.
The problem struck like "a very, very fast lightning bolt."
"My crewmates definitely saw that I was in distress," he said.
All six crew members were present and responded quickly to the situation.
Fincke stated that he cannot share more specific details about his medical episode. This decision is part of NASA's effort to ensure astronauts' medical privacy is maintained.
The ultrasound machine on the space station played a role during the event. Fincke has undergone extensive testing since his return to Earth. NASA is also examining medical records of other astronauts for any similar occurrences in space.
Fincke chose to reveal his identity as the astronaut who fell ill to address public speculation.
He felt remorse for the disruption caused by his illness, including the cancellation of the spacewalk. This spacewalk would have been his tenth, and the first for crewmate Zena Cardman. The early return of Cardman and two other crewmates was also a consequence.
SpaceX transported them back to Earth on January 15th, over a month earlier than planned. Upon arrival, they were immediately taken to the hospital.
"I’ve been very lucky to be super healthy. So this was very surprising for everyone," Fincke commented.
Fincke has been encouraged by NASA's new administrator, Jared Isaacman, to cease apologizing for the incident.
His colleagues offered support, assuring him that the situation was not his fault.
"This wasn’t you. This was space, right? You didn’t let anybody down," they told him.
Fincke expressed a hopeful outlook for a potential future space mission.
The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
Fincke described the episode as "completely out of the blue" and "amazingly quick." The event lasted approximately 20 minutes, after which he felt fine and continues to do so. He has never experienced anything similar before or since.
Doctors have ruled out a heart attack, and Fincke confirmed he was not choking. However, other possibilities remain under consideration, potentially linked to his extensive time in weightlessness. He was five and a half months into his latest mission when the problem struck.
"My crewmates definitely saw that I was in distress," Fincke said, noting that all six crew members gathered around him. "It was all hands on deck within just a matter of seconds."
Fincke declined to provide further details about his medical episode, explaining that NASA aims to protect the medical privacy of astronauts. The space station's ultrasound machine proved useful during the event. Since returning to Earth, Fincke has undergone numerous tests. NASA is also reviewing other astronauts' medical records for any related past incidents in space.
He publicly identified himself late last month to end public speculation. Fincke expressed regret that his illness led to the cancellation of a spacewalk, which would have been his tenth. It also resulted in an early return for his crewmates Zena Cardman and two others. SpaceX brought them back on January 15th, more than a month ahead of schedule, and they were taken directly to the hospital.
"I’ve been very lucky to be super healthy. So this was very surprising for everyone," Fincke stated.
NASA's new administrator, Jared Isaacman, encouraged Fincke to stop apologizing for the incident. His colleagues reassured him, saying, "This wasn’t you. This was space, right? You didn’t let anybody down."
Fincke remains optimistic about the possibility of returning to space in the future.
The incident occurred on January 7th, during Fincke's preparation for a spacewalk scheduled for the following day. He was eating dinner when the sudden illness struck.
Fincke, a retired Air Force colonel and four-time space flier, is 59 years old. The episode was brief, lasting about 20 minutes, and he felt normal afterward.
He emphasized that the cause of his illness remains unknown to doctors.
"It was completely out of the blue. It was just amazingly quick," he said in an interview with The Associated Press from Houston's Johnson Space Center.
While a heart attack has been excluded, Fincke stated that all other potential causes are still being investigated. He suggested a possible connection to his 549 days spent in weightlessness.
The problem struck like "a very, very fast lightning bolt."
"My crewmates definitely saw that I was in distress," he said.
All six crew members were present and responded quickly to the situation.
Fincke stated that he cannot share more specific details about his medical episode. This decision is part of NASA's effort to ensure astronauts' medical privacy is maintained.
The ultrasound machine on the space station played a role during the event. Fincke has undergone extensive testing since his return to Earth. NASA is also examining medical records of other astronauts for any similar occurrences in space.
Fincke chose to reveal his identity as the astronaut who fell ill to address public speculation.
He felt remorse for the disruption caused by his illness, including the cancellation of the spacewalk. This spacewalk would have been his tenth, and the first for crewmate Zena Cardman. The early return of Cardman and two other crewmates was also a consequence.
SpaceX transported them back to Earth on January 15th, over a month earlier than planned. Upon arrival, they were immediately taken to the hospital.
"I’ve been very lucky to be super healthy. So this was very surprising for everyone," Fincke commented.
Fincke has been encouraged by NASA's new administrator, Jared Isaacman, to cease apologizing for the incident.
His colleagues offered support, assuring him that the situation was not his fault.
"This wasn’t you. This was space, right? You didn’t let anybody down," they told him.
Fincke expressed a hopeful outlook for a potential future space mission.
The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.