NASA astronaut Mike Fincke was medically evacuated from the International Space Station (ISS) on January 15, marking the first such incident in the station’s history, the agency revealed this week. The early return of the SpaceX Crew-11 mission, initially scheduled to conclude in February, was prompted by a medical issue Fincke experienced on January 7.
According to NASA, Fincke experienced an unspecified medical event that “required immediate attention” from his fellow crew members. Fincke himself stated that his condition “quickly stabilized” due to the “quick response and the guidance” of flight surgeons. The incident necessitated an unscheduled change of plans, forcing NASA to accelerate the handover of command originally planned for January 8, as reported by NASA.gov.
The Crew-11 mission comprised four astronauts: Fincke, NASA astronaut Zena Cardman, Japanese astronaut Kimiya Yui, and Russian cosmonaut Oleg Platonov. The team had been aboard the ISS since August, conducting research and maintaining the orbiting laboratory. NASA’s chief health and medical officer made the final decision to bring the crew home early. Following their landing, NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman described the situation as “serious” but refrained from providing further details, according to multiple news reports.
Fincke is currently undergoing standard post-flight reconditioning at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston and reports being “doing very well.” “Spaceflight is an incredible privilege, and sometimes it reminds us just how human we are,” Fincke said. “Thank you for all your support.”
In response to the early departure, NASA launched a replacement crew to the ISS on February 14. This latest team is expected to remain on the station for approximately eight months, continuing the ongoing research and operational activities. NASA has not disclosed the nature of Fincke’s medical condition, respecting his privacy.