Crew-11 Astronaut Mike Fincke Whose Health Caused NASA’s First Medical Evac Opens Up: ‘Not An Emergency But…’

Ahead of the scheduled first spacewalk of 2026 on January 8, NASA cancelled the EVA that was supposed to be carried out by Zena Cardman and Mike Fincke of Crew-11. Announcing the same, NASA back then wrote, “NASA is postponing the Thursday, Jan. 8, spacewalk outside the International Space Station. The agency is monitoring a medical concern with a crew member that arose Wednesday afternoon aboard the orbital complex. Due to medical privacy, it is not appropriate for NASA to share more details about the crew member. The situation is stable. NASA will share additional details, including a new date for the upcoming spacewalk, later.”

The EVA was cancelled eventually, as NASA on January 15 brought back SpaceX Crew-11, comprised of NASA astronauts Zena Cardman and Mike Fincke, JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut Kimiya Yui, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Oleg Platonov.

The follow-up NASA press conference did not disclose the identity of the affected crew or the medical condition.

However, NASA in its latest social media post finally revealed the survivor—astronaut Mike Fincke. In a short statement released by the space agency, he wrote.

On Jan.7, while aboard the International Space Station, I experienced a medical event that required immediate attention from my incredible crewmates. Thanks to their quick response and the guidance of our NASA flight surgeons, my status quickly stabilized.

Fincke further added

After further evaluation, NASA determined the safest course was an early return for Crew-11—not an emergency, but a carefully coordinated plan to be able to take advantage of advanced medical imaging not available on the space station. On Jan. 15, it was splashed down off the coast of San Diego after an amazing five-and-a-half-month mission.

He continued

I am deeply grateful to my fellow Expedition 74 members – Zena Cardman, Kimita Yui, Oleg Platnov, Chris Williams, Sergey Kud-Sverchkov, and Sergei Mikayev – as well as the entire NASA team, SpaceX and the medical professionals at Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla near San Diego. Their professionalism and dedication ensured a positive outcome.

The astronaut summed up the experience

I am doing very well and continuing post-flight reconditioning at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. Spaceflight is an incredible privilege, and sometimes it reminds us just how human we are. Thank you all for your support.

See Also: NASA SpaceX Dragon Crew-11’s Historic Medical Evac From ISS Successful With Splashdown In The Pacific (WATCH)

See Also: NASA Canceled Its First Spacewalk Of 2026 On January 8 Due To Medical Emergency? Here’s What We Know

Cover: NASA