NASA has confirmed that Mike Finke of SpaceX’s Crew-11 mission needs to be medically evacuated from the International Space Station. NASA described the situation as non-emergency, but important enough to end the mission about a month early.
The main issue was access to advanced medical imaging not available on orbit. The result was the first dedicated medical evacuation from the International Space Station, a quiet but important moment for space medicine.This was the first dedicated medical evacuation from the International Space Station. Long-duration spaceflight affects the body in well-known ways, such as decreased bone density, fluid shift, and cardiovascular system adaptation, most of which are carefully monitored.
NASA confirms Mike Finke’s medical problem and his need for tests on Earth
Finke served as SpaceX Crew-11 pilot and commander of Expedition 74 aboard the International Space Station. In a statement issued by NASA on February 25, he confirmed that he had reportedly experienced a medical event that required prompt attention from his fellow crew members.Finke reportedly said more diagnostic tests were needed on the ground. This is often the dividing line in the orbit. The International Space Station carries ultrasound machines and basic medical kits.
If doctors need high-resolution imaging or specialized equipment, the only real option is to go home.The issue appears to have appeared on January 7th. Finke and fellow NASA astronaut Zena Cardman were preparing for a spacewalk at the time. NASA initially only cited “medical concerns” aboard the station, with only caution. By the next day, it became clear that Crew 11 would be returning earlier than planned.
Computer: NASA
Medical evaluation of a NASA astronaut after the plane crash
On January 15, Finke and his colleagues boarded the Crew Dragon Endeavor spacecraft, built by SpaceX. Alongside him were NASA astronaut Zina Cardman, JAXA astronaut Kimiya Yui, and Roscosmos astronaut Oleg Platonov. The capsule separated smoothly and hours later, splashed into the Pacific Ocean off San Diego.Rescue teams moved quickly. All four astronauts were helped from the capsule onto stretchers.
This part sometimes worries people watching from home, even though it’s standard procedure after months in microgravity. The body needs time to adapt to gravity. The balance can seem strange. Blood pressure fluctuates. Legs forget what weight feels like. The crew was taken to Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla for evaluation.Finke later thanked his crewmates and medical teams. He said it was coordination that made the difference.
He is now undergoing routine post-flight rehabilitation at Johnson Space Center in Houston.
Meet Mike Finke: the NASA astronaut who led an early evacuation of the International Space Station
Mike Finke is among the most experienced astronauts of modern times. He serves as mission commander for ISS Expedition 74 as a former flight engineer for Expedition 73 who has amassed an impressive 549 days in space. His astronaut leadership credentials extend to commanding ISS Expedition 18, while also supporting station operations as flight engineer and science officer during Expedition 9, flying aboard the Soyuz TMA-4 and Soyuz TMA-13 spacecraft. The astronaut has performed nine spacewalks lasting 48 hours and 37 minutes, and has the rare distinction of performing extravehicular activity wearing Russian Orlan suits and American EMU suits. In addition to flight missions, they played a pivotal role in NASA’s Commercial Crew Program as Chief of the Astronaut Office for the Commercial Crew Branch, contributing to spacecraft development, systems integration, and human spacecraft interface design for both Crew Dragon and Starliner.
Their aerospace career is complemented by an extensive aviation background, including more than 2,000 flight hours across more than 30 aircraft types and specialized work as a flight test liaison for the Japanese-American XF-2 fighter program.
