NASA recently provided insights into the early end of SpaceX’s Crew-11 mission to the International Space Station (ISS). This decision followed a medical issue involving astronaut Mike Fincke, who was the pilot and commander for the ISS’ Expedition 74.
Fincke shared that he experienced a medical event that needed quick attention from his crewmates. While he didn’t specify what the ailment was, he emphasized that it wasn’t an emergency, although it did require advanced medical imaging that isn’t available on the ISS. This concern led to the early return of the Crew-11 astronauts, including Zena Cardman, Kimiya Yui, and Oleg Platonov, back to Earth aboard the Crew Dragon “Endeavour” on January 15, about a month ahead of schedule.
The issue arose while Fincke and Cardman were preparing for a spacewalk, prompting NASA to announce on January 7 that they were monitoring a crew member’s medical issue, without revealing any specifics. The next day, it was confirmed that Crew-11 would return to resolve the situation.
Upon their arrival on Earth, the astronauts were taken to Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla in San Diego, where Fincke expressed gratitude for the medical staff’s dedication. Post-mission, he is recovering well at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, reinforcing the idea that spaceflight, while exhilarating, can also pose health risks.
Recent space missions highlight that medical preparedness is crucial. A survey by the NASA Office of Health Performance indicated that 35% of astronauts have reported health issues during their missions, underlining the importance of vigilant monitoring and rapid response capabilities in space exploration.
Fincke’s experience serves as a timely reminder of our humanity, even amidst remarkable advancements in space travel. As we continue to explore the cosmos, understanding and addressing health concerns is essential for deep-space missions in the future. For further updates on space health and the ongoing challenges astronauts face, check NASA’s updates here.
