NASA astronaut Mike Fincke medically evacuated from International Space Station

On January 7, 2026, 59-year-old NASA astronaut Mike Fincke experienced a sudden medical incident while preparing for a scheduled spacewalk on the International Space Station. The episode lasted approximately 20 minutes, during which Fincke reported a temporary loss of the ability to speak without accompanying physical pain. NASA medical teams, in coordination with the station crew, utilized an onboard ultrasound for initial assessment before ordering an emergency return of the crew to Earth. Following his return, Fincke underwent extensive medical examinations, though doctors have not yet determined a definitive cause. Clinical evaluations have ruled out a cardiac event, leaving other possibilities under investigation, including potential long-term effects of weightlessness given Fincke’s cumulative record of 549 days in space. While NASA is analyzing medical data from other astronauts to identify similar prior incidents, Fincke reported no recurrence of the symptoms. The incident resulted in the formal cancellation of the spacewalk and triggered the agency's first emergency medical evacuation of the year.