Astronaut Mike Fincke, aged 58, has disclosed that he was the individual who experienced a medical incident aboard the International Space Station last month, leading to NASA’s inaugural medical evacuation. In a statement released by NASA, Fincke expressed gratitude to his teammates for their swift response to the situation. He mentioned that he is currently in good condition and undergoing post-flight reconditioning, without specifying the exact health concern that necessitated the evacuation.
Fincke was part of the SpaceX Crew-11 mission along with NASA astronaut Zena Cardman, Japanese astronaut Kimiya Yui, and Russian cosmonaut Oleg Platonov. The decision to cut the mission short was made to allow Fincke to receive advanced medical care on Earth, resulting in NASA’s first-ever medical evacuation in the history of human spaceflight. This left the International Space Station with only three crew members, prompting a pause in spacewalks and research activities until a new team arrived.
While the seriousness of the situation led to the early return of the crew, NASA refrained from disclosing the identity of the ill astronaut or the specific medical issue, citing privacy concerns. Fincke highlighted the importance of having an ultrasound machine onboard, which was instrumental in addressing the emergency.
In his statement, Fincke expressed appreciation for his crew members’ professionalism and dedication, as well as the healthcare personnel at a San Diego hospital where the crew landed. Reflecting on the experience, Fincke acknowledged the humbling nature of spaceflight and the reminder of human vulnerability it brings.