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NASA's First Medical Evacuation from ISS: Astronaut Fincke Returns

2/28/2026

43 10 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

NASA astronaut Mike Fincke experienced a medical event on January 7, 2025, prompting Crew-11 to return from the International Space Station on January 15, 2025, the ISS's first medical evacuation, though not an emergency.
Fincke said advanced medical imaging was necessary, a capability the ISS lacked.
The incident canceled a planned spacewalk and reduced the ISS crew until Crew-12 arrived on February 14, 2025.

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Story summary

NASA astronaut Mike Fincke experienced a medical event on January 7, 2025, prompting Crew-11 to return from the International Space Station on January 15, 2025, the ISS's first medical evacuation, though not an emergency.
Fincke said advanced medical imaging was necessary, a capability the ISS lacked.
The incident canceled a planned spacewalk and reduced the ISS crew until Crew-12 arrived on February 14, 2025.