In a statement released by NASA, astronaut Mike Fincke revealed that he was the person who faced a medical issue during the Crew-11 mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS) which led to an early return to Earth. The incident occurred on January 7, necessitating immediate medical attention from his fellow crew members. Thanks to their prompt response and the expertise of NASA flight surgeons, Fincke's condition stabilized rapidly.

Despite the seriousness of the situation, Fincke emphasized that the decision for an early return to Earth was not an emergency but part of a carefully coordinated plan designed to utilize advanced medical imaging technology that was unavailable in space. Crew-11 returned to Earth on January 15, after a successful five-and-a-half-month mission. The early return was orchestrated to ensure Fincke received the best possible care following his medical event.

Although Fincke did not provide specific details about the nature of his medical issue, he reassured the public that he is recovering well. His statement reflects a sense of gratitude towards his crew members and highlights the importance of teamwork in managing unexpected medical situations in space, underscoring both the risks and challenges faced by astronauts during extended missions aboard the ISS.