NASA astronaut Mike Fincke helped out of the SpaceX Dragon Endeavour spacecraft onboard the SpaceX recovery ship SHANNON after landing in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Long Beach, Calif., on Thursday, January 15, 2026. Fincke announced his retirement on Wednesday. Photo by Bill Ingalls/NASA/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 13 (UPI) -- American astronaut Mike Fincke announced he was retiring Wednesday following 30 years of service and 549 days in space, ranking fourth most among NASA astronauts.
Fincke, 59, joined NASA in 1996 and first flew to space in 2004. During his career, Fincke flew four missions and completed nine spacewalks in support of the International Space Station for a total of 48 hours and 37 minutes.
"After exactly 30 years, I am departing NASA, but I remain deeply committed to the work of exploration," Fincke said in a statement.
"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."
