NASA astronaut Mike Fincke described an abrupt medical episode during a dinner on January 7 while aboard the International Space Station. The incident, which occurred after he prepared for a planned spacewalk the next day, left him unable to speak and temporarily incapacitated. The event has raised questions among experts, as its exact cause remains unclear.
The Incident
Fincke, a four-time space traveler and retired Air Force colonel, recounted the episode in an interview with The Associated Press. He said he was eating when he suddenly felt unwell, though he did not experience pain or choking. His crewmates noticed his distress and immediately contacted ground-based medical personnel. “It was completely out of the blue. It was just amazingly quick,” Fincke stated.
The episode lasted approximately 20 minutes, after which Fincke reported feeling fine. He added that he has not experienced anything similar since, despite spending over 549 days in weightlessness. The incident occurred during his fifth month on the space station, when he was five-and-a-half months into his latest mission.
Medical Evaluation
Doctors have ruled out a heart attack, but no definitive diagnosis has been reached. Fincke noted that his medical history suggests he is generally healthy, making the event particularly puzzling. NASA is reviewing records of other astronauts to determine if similar incidents have occurred in space.
The space station’s ultrasound machine was used during the episode, and Fincke has undergone multiple tests since returning to Earth. He emphasized the importance of protecting astronauts’ medical privacy, stating that NASA aims to ensure no one feels their health information would be compromised in future emergencies.
Impact on the Mission
The incident led to an early return to Earth for Fincke and his crewmates. The Crew-11 mission was brought back on January 15, more than a month ahead of schedule, with the team heading directly to a hospital. Fincke expressed regret that the event forced the cancellation of a planned spacewalk, which would have been his 10th in space and the first for crewmate Zena Cardman.
“I’ve been very lucky to be super healthy. So this was very surprising for everyone,” Fincke said. NASA’s new administrator, Jared Isaacman, instructed him to stop apologizing, with colleagues reassurance that “this wasn’t you. This was space, right?”
Current Status and Future Plans
Fincke remains optimistic about returning to space in the future. He has not provided further details about his medical episode but acknowledged the mystery surrounding it. The incident underscores the challenges of maintaining health in microgravity environments, where even minor issues can have significant implications.
As NASA continues to investigate, the case highlights the need for ongoing research into the effects of prolonged space exposure on human health. Fincke’s experience serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of space travel and the importance of preparedness for unforeseen medical events.