NASA Astronaut Mike Fincke Reveals Identity as Ailing Crew Member in Recent Medical Evacuation
Mike Fincke, a seasoned astronaut with NASA, came forward on Wednesday as the crew member whose health condition necessitated the space agency’s first-ever medical evacuation from the International Space Station last month. The 58-year-old spaceflight veteran disclosed in a written statement that he was the individual who experienced a medical issue while aboard the ISS.
Although Fincke did not specify the nature of his ailment, he expressed gratitude for the swift response and care provided by his fellow astronauts and ground-based flight surgeons, which led to a stabilization of his condition. He confirmed that he is currently in good health and recovering well.
“Spaceflight is a remarkable privilege, but it also serves as a reminder of our shared humanity,” Fincke remarked in the statement.
Following a SpaceX mission last summer, Fincke and three other crew members were forced to cut their mission short on January 15 after he encountered a medical event that required immediate attention. This incident also led to the cancellation of a planned spacewalk involving Fincke and another NASA astronaut.
After a safe splashdown in the Pacific, all four astronauts, including the ailing crew member, were transported to a San Diego hospital for evaluation before returning to Houston the following day.
During a press conference held a week after their return, Fincke highlighted the importance of the space station’s ultrasound machine in managing the medical emergency.
Fincke clarified on Wednesday that while his situation was not deemed an emergency, the decision was made to utilize advanced medical imaging techniques that were unavailable on the space station.
Related: NASA Evacuating ISS Crew After Unprecedented Medical Situation
A retired Air Force colonel and astronaut since 1996, Fincke has accumulated 549 days in space across four missions.
