NASA Astronaut Mike Fincke Discusses Unexplained Medical Incident Aboard ISS
Astronaut Mike Fincke recounts a sudden, unexplained medical episode on the International Space Station that led to NASA's first medical evacuation.
NASA astronaut Mike Fincke has detailed a sudden medical episode he experienced aboard the International Space Station (ISS) on January 7, 2026, which led to NASA's first medical evacuation from space. While preparing for a spacewalk, Fincke abruptly lost the ability to speak, though he felt no pain. The episode lasted about 20 minutes, after which he fully recovered. Despite extensive medical evaluations, including scans and tests both during the mission and after his premature return to Earth, the cause remains unclear. Heart issues and choking have been ruled out, but doctors continue to investigate potential links to the effects of prolonged weightlessness, as Fincke had spent over 549 days in space throughout his career. The incident led to the cancellation of the planned spacewalk and an early return for Fincke and two other astronauts aboard a SpaceX capsule. While saddened by the disruption, Fincke expressed gratitude for the quick response of his crewmates and NASA’s support, and he remains optimistic about possibly returning to space in the future.