NASA is continuing to investigate a baffling medical episode suffered by veteran astronaut Mike Fincke during a mission aboard the International Space Station earlier this year.
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Fincke, a former US Air Force colonel with four spaceflights to his name, described how the incident unfolded suddenly on 7 January while he was eating dinner and preparing for a scheduled spacewalk the following day. Without warning, he lost the ability to speak, alarming fellow crew members who immediately contacted flight surgeons on Earth.
Speaking from Johnson Space Center in Houston, the 59-year-old said the episode came “completely out of the blue” and passed within around 20 minutes. He reported no pain and said he felt entirely normal shortly afterwards, with no recurrence since. Medical teams have ruled out a heart attack and choking, but the precise cause remains unclear. Investigators are exploring whether prolonged exposure to microgravity — Fincke has spent a total of 549 days in space — may have played a role.
Crewmates reportedly reacted within seconds, gathering to assist as the situation unfolded. Fincke noted that onboard diagnostic equipment, including an ultrasound device, proved crucial in assessing his condition during the emergency.
Following his return to Earth, he has undergone a series of tests, while NASA has begun reviewing medical data from other astronauts to determine whether similar incidents have occurred.
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The episode prompted the cancellation of a planned spacewalk — which would have been Fincke’s tenth — and led to the early return of part of the crew. A capsule operated by SpaceX brought them back on 15 January, more than a month ahead of schedule, after which they were taken for medical evaluation.
Fincke later spoke publicly to dispel speculation surrounding the evacuation. Although he initially expressed regret over the disruption, he said he had been reassured by colleagues and senior officials, including NASA administrator Jared Isaacman, that the incident was beyond his control. Despite the uncertainty surrounding his condition, Fincke remains optimistic and has indicated he would welcome the opportunity to return to space in the future.
