Astronaut Mike Fincke, who triggered NASA’s initial medical evacuation this year, revealed on Friday that the cause of his sudden illness at the International Space Station remains unknown. The incident occurred while he was having dinner on Jan. 7 and preparing for a spacewalk the following day. Although he couldn’t speak and felt no pain, his concerned crewmates acted swiftly upon seeing him in distress and sought assistance from ground-based flight surgeons.
In an interview from Houston’s Johnson Space Center, Fincke, a four-time space traveler and retired Air Force colonel, described the unexpected nature of the event, which lasted about 20 minutes. Despite the ordeal, he felt fine afterward and has not experienced a similar occurrence before or since. Medical experts have ruled out a heart attack and choking, leaving other possibilities open, potentially linked to his 549 days of weightlessness during his space mission.
Recalling how his crewmates reacted promptly to his distress, Fincke emphasized the collaborative efforts that ensued within seconds. He mentioned that the space station’s ultrasound equipment played a crucial role during the incident and that he has undergone multiple medical evaluations since returning to Earth. NASA is reviewing medical records of other astronauts to identify any similar incidents that may have occurred in space.
Fincke disclosed his identity as the affected astronaut in late February to dispel public speculation surrounding the incident. He expressed regret that his illness led to the cancellation of a spacewalk, which would have been his 10th, and necessitated an early return for his crewmates via SpaceX on Jan. 15. Despite the setback, he remains optimistic about the possibility of future space missions.
Acknowledging the impact of his condition on the mission, Fincke initially apologized to everyone but was advised by NASA’s administrator, Jared Isaacman, to stop blaming himself. Encouraged by his colleagues, who reassured him that the incident was beyond his control, Fincke now looks ahead with hope for another opportunity to venture into space someday.
