Astronaut Mike Fincke has revealed that he was the crew member who experienced a medical emergency on the International Space Station last month, leading to NASA’s first-ever medical evacuation. In a statement released by NASA, Fincke expressed gratitude to his teammates for their prompt assistance during the incident on January 7. He confirmed that he is currently in good health but is undergoing post-flight reconditioning without disclosing the specific medical issue that necessitated the evacuation.
Fincke was part of the SpaceX Crew-11 mission alongside NASA astronaut Zena Cardman, Japanese astronaut Kimiya Yui, and Russian cosmonaut Oleg Platonov. The mission was cut short to facilitate Fincke’s return to Earth for advanced medical evaluation and treatment, marking NASA’s first medical evacuation in 65 years of human spaceflight. This decision left only three crew members on the ISS, prompting NASA to suspend spacewalks and research activities until a new team arrived.
Despite maintaining confidentiality regarding the ill crew member and the nature of the medical condition due to privacy reasons, NASA acknowledged the critical nature of the situation. Following the crew’s early return to Earth on January 15, Fincke praised his crewmates for their professionalism and dedication. He also expressed gratitude to the healthcare professionals who assisted the crew upon landing near San Diego. Fincke emphasized the humbling aspect of spaceflight, highlighting the importance of preparedness and teamwork in navigating unforeseen challenges in space exploration.
