NASA Astronaut Mike Fincke retires, logging 549 days in space
Fincke’s 30-year NASA career included 48 hours and 37 minutes of spacewalks, and his Crew-11 mission ended early after a medical issue.
- On Wednesday, NASA announced that astronaut Mike Fincke will leave the agency after 30 years of service, ending a career as a retired U.S. Air Force colonel.
- Over his three-decade career, Fincke flew four missions, accumulating 549 days in orbit—the fourth highest among NASA colleagues—and completed nine spacewalks totaling 48 hours and 37 minutes.
- Fincke's final mission, SpaceX Crew-11, ended early in January 2026 due to an undisclosed medical issue; NASA returned the crew early to access advanced medical imaging unavailable on the space station.
- "After exactly 30 years, I am departing NASA, but I remain deeply committed to the work of exploration," Fincke said. Vanessa Wyche, director of NASA's Johnson Space Center, called his career "remarkable" and reflective of three decades of dedication.
- He remains committed to goals like returning to the Moon and traveling to Mars, expressing excitement to "help prepare the next generation of engineers, explorers, and leaders.
27 Articles
27 Articles
NASA astronaut Mike Fincke retires after 30 years at the space agency
Prolific NASA astronaut Mike Fincke has announced his retirement from the U.S. space agency after 30 years of public service. NASA announced Fincke's decision on Wednesday (Aug. 12), celebrating his contributions to spaceflight and long career of accomplishments. “Few people have had the opportunity to shape as many chapters of NASA’s history as Mike Fincke,” NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said that day in a statement. Fincke departs as NASA'…
American astronaut Mike Finche leaves NASA on Wednesday after 30 years of service, a career in which he participated in four space missions, accumulated 549 days off Earth and made nine space walks.
Mike Fincke Retires From NASA After 549 Days In Space
NASA astronaut Mike Fincke is retiring from the agency after three decades of service, ending a career that included four space missions and 549 days in orbit. According to the report, Fincke ranks fourth among NASA astronauts for total time spent in space and completed nine spacewalks lasting a combined 48 hours and 37 minutes.💡The report said Fincke's final mission, SpaceX Crew-11, ended earlier than planned in January 2026 after an undisclos…
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