Particle.news
Download on the App Store

NASA Confirms Mike Fincke Was Astronaut in ISS Medical Incident That Shortened Crew-11 Mission

The agency advanced the return as a precaution to allow Earth-based imaging not available on the station.

Overview

  • Fincke said he experienced a Jan. 7 medical event that required immediate help from crewmates and that his condition stabilized quickly with guidance from NASA flight surgeons.
  • Crew-11 undocked on Jan. 14 and splashed down off San Diego on Jan. 15 after 167 days in orbit aboard a SpaceX Dragon.
  • NASA canceled a planned Jan. 8 spacewalk and accelerated crew rotation, with Crew-12 arriving on Feb. 14 to restore the station to seven occupants.
  • The agency described the early return as carefully coordinated and preventive, marking the first ISS crew mission shortened for health reasons in roughly 25 years.
  • NASA has not disclosed a diagnosis under its medical privacy policy, and Fincke says he is very well and completing standard post‑flight rehabilitation at Johnson Space Center.