Astronaut’s Condition That Led to Space Station Evacuation Remains a Mystery
The New York Times • • general
Key Points:
- Astronaut Michael Fincke revealed he was the crew member who suddenly lost the ability to speak during a January International Space Station mission, prompting an unprecedented early evacuation back to Earth.
- The medical episode occurred without warning while Fincke was eating dinner, and despite extensive testing, doctors have not determined the cause, though they have ruled out a heart attack or stroke and suspect it was space-related.
- Fincke and his Crew-11 team, which included astronauts from NASA, JAXA, and Roscosmos, returned to Earth early after spending 167 days in space, marking the first early return due to a medical issue in the station's 25-year history.
- NASA officials emphasized the astronaut was stable and did not require an immediate emergency return, but limited medical facilities on the station necessitated the early departure.
- Fincke expressed disappointment about cutting the mission short, feeling he let down his crewmates, despite their reassurances, and has spent a total of 549 days in space over his career.
