The first medical evacuation from the International Space Station occurred in January 2026. This unprecedented event was triggered by astronaut Mike Fincke’s sudden loss of speech for approximately 20 minutes on January 7, 2026. Fincke was 5 and a half months into his stay aboard the station when this medical episode took place, prompting immediate action from NASA.
Following the incident, NASA initiated its first medical evacuation from the space station, marking a significant moment in the 25-year history of the facility. Doctors have ruled out a heart attack and stroke as potential causes of Fincke’s condition, but the exact cause remains unclear. Fincke described the event as “completely out of the blue” and noted that it happened “amazingly quick.”
The Crew-11 mission, which was supposed to last 167 days, was cut short due to this medical issue, and the astronauts returned to Earth on January 15, 2026, more than a month earlier than planned. Fincke expressed disappointment about having to end the mission prematurely, stating, “The doctors are still scratching their heads.”
During the medical episode, the space station’s ultrasound machine was utilized, highlighting the advanced medical capabilities available in space. Fincke has logged a total of 549 days in space throughout his career, making this incident particularly concerning for both him and his colleagues.
NASA is currently reviewing other astronauts’ medical records for related instances, as officials seek to understand the implications of this event. The evacuation was a historic first, as it was the first time astronauts returned early due to a medical issue.
Colleagues of Fincke remarked, “This wasn’t you. This was space, right?” indicating a belief that the unique conditions of space may have contributed to the incident. Details remain unconfirmed regarding the duration of Fincke’s inability to speak, and further investigations are expected to clarify the situation.
