Astronaut says his sudden medical scare in space remains a mystery NASA astronaut Mike Fincke described his unexpected medical episode during a spacewalk as a mystery, with doctors still unable to determine the cause. The incident occurred on January 7, 2026, while Fincke was eating dinner and preparing for a spacewalk. He suddenly lost the ability to speak, experienced no pain, and his crewmates quickly responded by alerting flight surgeons on Earth. The event lasted about 20 minutes, and Fincke reported feeling fine afterward. He said the episode was “completely out of the blue” and likened its suddenness to “a very, very fast lightning bolt.” Fincke, a retired Air Force colonel and four-time space flyer, was 5½ months into his stay on the International Space Station when the incident occurred. Doctors ruled out a heart attack and confirmed he was not choking, but no definitive explanation has emerged. He attributed the event to his 549 days of weightlessness, though the exact cause remains unclear. The space station’s onboard ultrasound machine was used during the incident, and Fincke has undergone extensive medical tests since returning to Earth. NASA is reviewing medical records of other astronauts to check if similar incidents have occurred in space. Fincke identified himself as the astronaut who fell ill late last month, ending public speculation about the event. He expressed regret over the incident causing the cancellation of his 10th spacewalk and forcing crewmate Zena Cardman—her first spacewalk—to return to Earth early. The crew was brought back on January 15, more than a month ahead of schedule, and immediately taken to the hospital. Fincke emphasized that he had been “very lucky to be super healthy” and found the episode “very surprising for everyone.#nasa #international_space_station #jared_isaacman #mike_fincke #zena_cardman
