NASA provides update on SpaceX Crew-11 astronaut Mike Fincke

NASA reports astronaut Mike Fincke experienced a medical event on Jan. 7 and is now recovering at Johnson Space Center after an early return with Crew‑11.

NASA has shared an update at the request of astronaut Mike Fincke about a medical event that occurred during his mission aboard the International Space Station. The event on Jan. 7 required immediate attention from his crewmates and guidance from NASA flight surgeons. After evaluation, NASA coordinated an early return for Crew‑11 to allow access to advanced medical imaging on Earth. The crew splashed down off the coast of San Diego on Jan. 15 after a five‑and‑a‑half‑month mission. Known details: - On Jan. 7, Mike Fincke experienced a medical event aboard the International Space Station that required immediate attention from fellow crewmembers and NASA flight surgeons. - NASA decided on an early, coordinated return for Crew‑11 so Fincke could receive advanced medical imaging not available on the station, and described the move as a planned precaution rather than an emergency. - Crew‑11 splashed down off the coast of San Diego on Jan. 15 after completing a five‑and‑a‑half‑month mission. - Fincke expressed gratitude to Expedition 74 members, NASA, SpaceX, and medical staff at Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla, and he is continuing standard post‑flight reconditioning at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. Summary: NASA reported that the medical event on Jan. 7 stabilized with crew and flight surgeon support, and that the agency coordinated an early return so Fincke could access Earth‑based medical imaging. The crew returned Jan. 15, and Fincke is reported as doing well while undergoing standard post‑flight reconditioning at Johnson Space Center.