Astronaut Mike Fincke has come forward as the individual who experienced a medical incident while aboard the International Space Station last month, leading to NASA’s inaugural medical evacuation. In a statement released by NASA, Fincke acknowledged the event on January 7 that necessitated immediate attention from his colleagues. He mentioned that he is currently undergoing post-flight reconditioning and is in good health, although he did not disclose the specific health issue that prompted the evacuation.
As part of the SpaceX Crew-11 mission, Fincke was joined by NASA astronaut Zena Cardman, Japanese astronaut Kimiya Yui, and Russian cosmonaut Oleg Platonov. Despite the situation being initially stable, the decision was made to curtail the mission so that Fincke could receive advanced medical care on Earth, marking NASA’s first medical evacuation in 65 years of human spaceflight. This left three crew members – one American and two Russians – to manage the ISS operations, leading to a temporary halt in spacewalks and research activities until a new team arrived.
NASA opted not to disclose the identity of the sick astronaut or the nature of the illness due to medical privacy concerns. The mission duration for Fincke and his team was shortened by approximately a month, instead of the planned six-month stay. Fincke mentioned that the crew utilized an onboard ultrasound machine once the medical issue emerged, emphasizing its critical role in aiding their response to the emergency. He advocated for having such equipment on all future spaceflights due to its significant assistance during critical situations.
In his statement, Fincke expressed gratitude to his crew members for their professionalism and dedication, as well as to the medical personnel at a San Diego hospital where the crew safely landed. Reflecting on the experience, Fincke acknowledged the humbling reminder of human vulnerability that spaceflight can bring despite its remarkable opportunities.