NASA astronaut and Pittsburgh area native Mike Fincke revealed Wednesday he was the one who needed medical attention that required SpaceX Crew-11’s early return in January.
In a statement posted to NASA’s website, Fincke said that on Jan. 7, he experienced “a medical event that required immediate attention” while aboard the International Space Station.
Calling his crewmates incredible, Fincke said his status quickly stabilized “thanks to their quick response and the guidance of our NASA flight surgeons.”
Further evaluation led NASA to determine the safest course of action would be an early return for the crew, he said.
“Not an emergency, but a carefully coordinated plan to be able to take advantage of advanced medical imaging not available on the space station,” Fincke said.
The crew splashed down on Jan. 15 off the coast of San Diego after the five-and-a-half-month mission, which he called amazing.
The Emsworth native and Sewickley Academy graduate was selected to be an astronaut by NASA in 1996.
Fincke thanked his fellow Expedition 74 members in the statement, as well as the entire NASA team, SpaceX and the medical professionals at Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla near San Diego.
“Their professionalism and dedication ensured a positive outcome,” he said. “I’m doing very well and continuing standard post-flight reconditioning at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. Spaceflight is an incredible privilege, and sometimes it reminds us just how human we are. Thank you all for your support.”
