NASA astronaut Mike Fincke lost ability to speak while aboard ISS NASA astronaut Mike Fincke experienced a sudden medical emergency while aboard the International Space Station, temporarily losing his ability to speak for about 20 minutes. The incident occurred on January 7 during preparations for a planned spacewalk, prompting immediate alerts to flight surgeons on Earth and concern among his crewmates. Despite extensive medical evaluations, doctors could not determine the exact cause of the episode, ruling out possibilities such as a heart attack or choking. The event has raised questions about the effects of prolonged weightlessness on the human body, given Fincke’s 549 days in space. The situation escalated to the point where Fincke was medically evacuated from the ISS via a SpaceX spacecraft on January 15, along with three other crew members. The evacuation also led to the cancellation of a scheduled spacewalk. Fincke, who has since recovered and reported feeling fine, expressed regret over the disruption but remains hopeful about returning to space. NASA has since initiated a review of medical records for other astronauts to investigate whether similar incidents may have occurred. The incident highlights the challenges of long-duration space missions and the potential for unexpected health complications in microgravity environments. While the exact cause of Fincke’s condition remains unclear, the event underscores the importance of continuous medical monitoring for astronauts during extended stays in space. NASA officials have not yet provided further details on the findings from the medical evaluations or the steps being taken to prevent similar occurrences in the future.#nasa #international_space_station #space_x #mike_fincke #spacewalk
