Michael Fincke

Built World

Returned to Earth after medical evacuation in January 2026

The International Space Station's original solar arrays were designed to last 15 years. The oldest set has now been in orbit for 25, battered by radiation and micrometeorite strikes until the station's total power output dropped from 240 kilowatts to roughly 160 — a one-third loss. On March 18, 2026, astronauts Jessica Meir and Chris Williams stepped outside the station for a 6.5-hour spacewalk to begin preparing the final two power channels for new roll-out solar arrays that will restore the station's electrical capacity.

Updated Mar 18

Force in Play

Returned to Earth

NASA's first medical evacuation from the International Space Station (ISS) occurred on January 14, 2026, when SpaceX Crew Dragon undocked carrying four astronauts home six weeks early due to a serious but stable medical condition with one crew member. This ended a 25-year streak without such an event, despite statistical models predicting one every three years. The crew splashed down safely off California on January 15 after 167 days in space.

Updated Feb 14