Crew-11 astronaut Mike Fincke says medical issue aboard ISS prompted early return

NASA postponed a Jan. 8 spacewalk while monitoring a medical concern aboard the International Space Station, and Mike Fincke says he experienced a medical event that stabilized and led to Crew‑11's early return and splashdown on Jan. 15.

NASA postponed a planned January 8 spacewalk after announcing it was monitoring a medical concern aboard the International Space Station. The agency initially cited medical privacy and said the situation was stable while it assessed options. Crew‑11 returned to Earth early and splashed down off the coast of San Diego on January 15 after a five‑and‑a‑half‑month mission. NASA later identified astronaut Mike Fincke as the crewmember who experienced the onboard medical event and released his brief statement about the episode. Known details: - NASA postponed the Jan. 8 EVA while monitoring a medical concern aboard the ISS and cited medical privacy when withholding further details at the time. - Crew‑11 made an early return and splashed down off San Diego on Jan. 15 after completing a five‑and‑a‑half‑month mission. - Mike Fincke said he experienced a medical event on Jan. 7 aboard the ISS, that his condition stabilized with crew response and flight‑surgeon guidance, and that he is continuing post‑flight reconditioning at NASA's Johnson Space Center. Summary: Fincke's statement clarified that the choice to return early was a coordinated plan to access medical imaging and care not available on the station, and that the incident was not described as an emergency. Undetermined at this time.