Five months into his fourth mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS), NASA astronaut Mike Fincke had a scare. While having dinner one night in January, he suddenly lost his ability to speak for about 20 minutes. He felt anxious but no pain.
“It was completely unexpected. It happened so fast,” Fincke shared in a recent interview. His crewmates noticed he was in distress immediately, activating emergency protocols.
NASA quickly decided to cut short the SpaceX Crew-11 mission, bringing Fincke and three other astronauts back to Earth a month early. This marked a first for the ISS, as no other astronaut had returned early due to a health issue among over 290 visitors to the space station.
Jared Isaacman, NASA’s administrator, explained that they had to act due to a “serious medical condition.” He emphasized that astronauts are trained for emergencies and that the plan allows for a rapid return if necessary.
While the situation was managed well, it raises questions about long-duration missions in deeper space where returning home isn’t so straightforward. The Crew-11 mission landed safely on January 15, eight days after Fincke’s episode.
NASA has kept details about Fincke’s episode private, which aligns with their practice of protecting astronaut confidentiality. He indicated that the cause might be related to the unique conditions of space but did not provide a formal diagnosis.
Medical issues in space aren’t new. The unique environment has known effects on the human body. NASA studies highlight five primary hazards: radiation, isolation, distance, microgravity, and hostile environments. These factors can lead to various problems such as muscle loss, cardiovascular issues, and changes in vision.
In weightlessness, blood tends to shift toward the head, potentially causing short-term medical episodes. Dr. Farhan Asrar, an expert in space medicine, pointed out that interruptions in blood flow can result in temporary speech issues, known medically as Transient Ischaemic Attacks (TIA).
In a recent study looking at 11 astronauts, some experienced abnormal blood flow, including a reported blood clot. The study reinforces that this shifting fluid dynamics can impact astronauts’ overall health.
NASA’s ongoing research aims to understand these challenges better. In 2023, around 70% of astronauts studied displayed signs of spaceflight-associated neuro-ocular syndrome (SANS), which causes eye swelling and vision impairment.
As missions potentially take astronauts to Mars or beyond, the risks compound. Communication delays in deep space could complicate medical response. Future missions may leave crews waiting 20 minutes for a response from Earth if issues arise.
To mitigate health risks, discussions are beginning around including doctors on future missions. Having medical professionals on board could offer immediate care. NASA has already planned to send organ chips—tiny models of human organs—to test how deep-space conditions affect health. The hope is to create personalized treatment plans for astronauts based on these pre-mission studies.
Dr. Scott Parazynski, a veteran astronaut and physician, pointed out that managing health in space will become increasingly critical. “The ISS allows for quick communication. But deep space will present new challenges,” he cautioned.
As we venture further into the cosmos, understanding how to support astronauts’ health becomes vital. This remains a fascinating area of research, as scientists begin to uncover how space affects the human body and how to ensure astronauts return safely after long missions.
For a deeper dive into the hazards astronauts face in space, visit NASA’s Human Research Program.
