NASA Astronaut Mysteriously Loses Ability To Speak In Space | WION Podcast
Why It Matters
The episode reveals a potential vulnerability of astronauts’ vocal and respiratory health in microgravity, urging NASA to enhance medical monitoring and contingency protocols for future long‑duration missions.
Key Takeaways
- •NASA astronaut Mike Finney lost speech for 20 minutes
- •Incident occurred before scheduled spacewalk, prompting mission delay
- •Crew performed first-ever medical evacuation from the ISS
- •Doctors ruled out heart attack, choking, cause remains unknown
- •Weightlessness may affect vocal cords, prompting further NASA research
Summary
The WION podcast recounts a baffling medical event aboard the International Space Station in early January, when veteran NASA astronaut Mike Finney suddenly lost the ability to speak for about twenty minutes. The episode, which unfolded just before a planned spacewalk, forced the crew to abort the EVA and later execute the station’s first-ever medical evacuation.
Finney, 59, who has logged four missions and nearly 550 days in microgravity, reported the loss of speech while eating dinner, describing it as a “very fast lightning bolt” that struck without warning. He experienced no pain, choking, or cardiac symptoms, and the condition resolved spontaneously. Flight surgeons on the ground confirmed no heart attack, and the crew returned to Earth aboard a SpaceX vehicle on Jan 15.
In interviews, Finney expressed frustration that his unexplained episode canceled the EVA, while NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman urged him not to blame himself, emphasizing the unknown nature of the incident. The astronaut also speculated that prolonged weightlessness might have contributed, though medical privacy limited further disclosure.
The incident highlights gaps in our understanding of how extended exposure to microgravity can affect the nervous and respiratory systems, prompting NASA to prioritize research into speech and airway function in space. It also underscores the need for robust medical contingency plans, as even brief, non‑life‑threatening events can disrupt mission timelines and crew safety.
Comments
Want to join the conversation?
Loading comments...