Mike Fincke, a 30-year astronaut with experience across four spacecraft, retires from NASA

NASA astronaut and Expedition 73 Flight Engineer Mike Fincke smiles for a portrait during research operations for the Droplets fluid physics investigation. Fincke was inside the International Space Station’s Destiny laboratory module exploring how particles behave inside fluids. The microgravity study may inform commercial in-space manufacturing techniques and improve optical materials and pollution removal operations. Image: NASA

Mike Fincke, a retired United States Air Force colonel and NASA astronaut of 30 years, is retiring from the agency’s Astronaut Office. He’s one of only 13 people who launched to orbit from Earth onboard three different spacecraft.

Fincke among 44 astronauts selected in 1996 for the 16th astronaut class, nicknamed “The Sardines.” He flew to space four times: twice on Soyuz, once on Space Shuttle Endeavour, and once on the SpaceX Dragon Endeavour.

“After exactly 30 years, I am departing NASA, but I remain deeply committed to the work of exploration.” Fincke said in a statement shared by the agency. “NASA gave me the extraordinary privilege of serving alongside remarkable people, flying and helping develop spacecraft, and contributing to the International Space Station from its earliest days through command in orbit.”