The United States space agency has confirmed that astronaut Mike Fincke returned to Earth earlier than planned following a medical event while aboard the International Space Station (ISS).
According to information shared by NASA at Fincke’s request, the incident occurred on 07 January 2026 during his stay on the orbiting laboratory as part of Expedition 74. The astronaut experienced a medical issue that required immediate attention from his crewmates. Thanks to their swift response and real-time guidance from NASA flight surgeons on the ground, his condition was quickly stabilized.
Following additional medical evaluation, NASA determined that the safest course of action was to arrange an early return for Crew-11. The agency clarified that the move was not an emergency evacuation but rather a carefully coordinated decision to allow Fincke access to advanced medical imaging and diagnostic equipment not available aboard the ISS.
On 15 January 2026, the crew safely splashed down off the coast of San Diego, California, concluding what NASA described as an “amazing” five-and-a-half-month mission in low Earth orbit. The return was supported by commercial partner SpaceX, which provides crew transportation services to and from the space station.
Fincke expressed deep gratitude to his fellow Expedition 74 crewmembers — Zena Cardman, Kimiya Yui, Oleg Platonov, Chris Williams, Sergey Kud-Sverchkov, and Sergei Mikayev — as well as to NASA’s operations and medical teams. He also acknowledged the medical professionals at Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla for their care following splashdown.
The veteran astronaut reported that he is doing very well and is currently undergoing standard post-flight reconditioning at Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. Post-mission rehabilitation is a routine process for astronauts returning from extended stays in microgravity, helping them readjust to Earth’s gravity and rebuild strength, balance, and endurance.
Fincke described spaceflight as an incredible privilege, noting that experiences like these underscore the human aspect of exploration beyond Earth. His recovery marks a positive outcome for both the astronaut and the mission, highlighting the rigorous safety protocols, crew training, and international cooperation that define operations aboard the ISS.