Pittsburgh Astronaut’s Speech Loss in Space Remains Unexplained

The astronaut who got sick at the International Space Station still does not know why. Mike Fincke fell ill on January 7 while preparing for a spacewalk. He could not speak but felt no pain. His worried crewmates quickly asked for help from doctors on Earth.

Fincke, 59 years old, said the sickness lasted about 20 minutes. He felt fine afterward and still does. This was the first time he felt anything like this. Doctors checked him for a heart attack, but it was not that. They still do not know if the sickness is linked to his time in space.

Fincke’s crewmates helped him at once. They gathered around him quickly. He does not have more details about the sickness. NASA wants to protect the medical privacy of astronauts.

Since coming back to Earth, Fincke has had many tests. He hopes to go to space again one day. He feels lucky to be healthy and wants to take part in more missions.

How much do you know?

What date did Mike Fincke fall ill at the International Space Station?

January 1

January 7

January 15

January 21

How long did Mike Fincke's sickness last?

10 minutes

15 minutes

20 minutes

25 minutes

What was one of the first things doctors checked for when Mike Fincke fell ill?

Flu

Heart attack

Allergy

Cold

How old is Mike Fincke?

49

59

69

39

What does NASA want to protect regarding astronauts?

Medical privacy

Personal belongings

Mission details

Training records

What does Mike Fincke hope to do one day?

Become a doctor

Go to space again

Retire from missions

Start a family

Mike Fincke experienced pain during his sickness.

True False

Fincke's sickness was linked to a heart attack.

True False

NASA has full knowledge of what caused Fincke's sickness.

True False

Mike Fincke is eager to participate in more space missions.

True False

Fincke's crewmates assisted him immediately when he fell ill.

True False

Mike Fincke is 50 years old.

True False

Mike Fincke could not speak but felt no .

His sickness lasted about minutes.

Since coming back to Earth, Fincke has had many .

Fincke feels lucky to be .

NASA wants to protect the medical of astronauts.

This was the first time he felt anything like .

This question is required