Additional Coverage:
- He suddenly couldn’t speak in space. NASA astronaut says his medical scare remains a mystery (apnews.com)
Astronaut Mike Fincke Opens Up About Mysterious Illness During Space Station Mission
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Veteran astronaut Mike Fincke, who underwent NASA’s first-ever medical evacuation from the International Space Station earlier this year, revealed on Friday that doctors still have not determined the cause of his sudden illness in orbit.
Fincke, a retired Air Force colonel and four-time space traveler, described the episode as striking “completely out of the blue” on January 7. He was having dinner after preparing for a planned spacewalk the next day when he suddenly lost the ability to speak. Though he felt no pain, his crewmates quickly recognized his distress and contacted flight surgeons on the ground for assistance.
The episode lasted about 20 minutes, and Fincke said he felt fine afterward and has experienced no similar symptoms since. Medical evaluations have ruled out a heart attack and choking, but other causes remain under investigation, including possible effects related to his 549 days spent in microgravity. The illness prompted an early end to his mission – and the cancellation of his 10th spacewalk, which would have been the first for crewmate Zena Cardman.
“All six of my crewmates gathered around me. It was all hands on deck within just a matter of seconds,” Fincke recounted in an interview from Houston’s Johnson Space Center. He expressed regret over the mission disruption but emphasized his good health since returning to Earth.
NASA has respected Fincke’s privacy by limiting details about the medical event, underscoring the agency’s commitment to astronaut confidentiality. The space station’s onboard ultrasound machine played a key role in the initial assessment, and Fincke has undergone extensive testing since landing. NASA is also reviewing medical records from other astronauts to identify any similar incidents.
Fincke publicly identified himself late last month to quell speculation about the mysterious health episode. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman encouraged him to stop apologizing, reminding him the incident was a consequence of space travel, not personal failure.
Looking ahead, Fincke remains hopeful about returning to space in the future. “I’ve been very lucky to be super healthy. So this was very surprising for everyone,” he said.
NASA continues to study the case to improve understanding of astronaut health risks during long-duration missions.
This article was prepared by a local journalist based on an Associated Press report.