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NASA Astronaut Experiences Sudden Medical Scare in Space
Mike Fincke's episode remains a mystery as doctors continue to investigate the cause.
Mar. 27, 2026 at 4:19pm by Ben Kaplan
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NASA astronaut Mike Fincke, a four-time space flier, experienced a sudden and unexplained medical episode while aboard the International Space Station earlier this year. Fincke suddenly lost the ability to speak during dinner, prompting his concerned crewmates to call for help from ground control. The incident, which lasted around 20 minutes, left Fincke feeling fine afterward, but doctors have yet to determine the cause, ruling out a heart attack. Fincke has gone through extensive testing since returning to Earth, and NASA is reviewing other astronauts' medical records to see if similar incidents have occurred in space.
Why it matters
Fincke's medical scare highlights the unique health challenges astronauts face in the microgravity environment of space. Understanding the cause of his sudden episode could help NASA better prepare and respond to potential medical emergencies during future long-duration space missions. The incident also resulted in the cancellation of a scheduled spacewalk and the early return of Fincke's crewmates, underscoring the operational impact of such medical events.
The details
On January 7th, while preparing for a spacewalk the next day, Fincke suddenly lost the ability to speak during dinner. His crewmates immediately sprang into action, calling for help from ground control. Fincke remembers no pain, but his colleagues saw he was in distress. The episode lasted around 20 minutes, and Fincke felt fine afterward. Doctors have ruled out a heart attack, but everything else remains a possibility, potentially related to Fincke's 549 days of weightlessness during his space station stays.
- On January 7th, Fincke experienced the sudden medical episode while aboard the International Space Station.
- The incident lasted approximately 20 minutes.
- Fincke and his crewmates were scheduled to conduct a spacewalk the following day, but it had to be canceled due to Fincke's medical scare.
- Fincke and his three crewmates returned to Earth on January 15th, more than a month earlier than planned.
The players
Mike Fincke
A four-time NASA astronaut who experienced a sudden and unexplained medical episode while aboard the International Space Station.
NASA
The U.S. space agency that oversees the International Space Station and is investigating Fincke's medical scare.
What they’re saying
“It was completely out of the blue. It was just amazingly quick.”
— Mike Fincke, Astronaut
“My crewmates definitely saw that I was in distress. It was all hands on deck within just a matter of seconds.”
— Mike Fincke, Astronaut
“This wasn't you. This was space, right? You didn't let anybody down.”
— NASA Colleagues
What’s next
NASA is continuing to investigate the cause of Fincke's medical episode, reviewing other astronauts' medical records to see if similar incidents have occurred in space. Fincke remains hopeful that he can return to space one day.
The takeaway
Fincke's sudden medical scare in space underscores the unique health challenges astronauts face in the microgravity environment. Understanding the cause of his episode could help NASA better prepare for and respond to potential medical emergencies during future long-duration space missions.
