Astronaut Mike Fincke visits CCAC students after return from space

NASA astronaut Mike Fincke stopped by Community College of Allegheny County on Wednesday morning to share his experiences and encourage students to pursue careers in the space industry following his early return from the International Space Station.Fincke was forced to leave the space station early due to a health scare. “I didn’t know what it was. It was just something unexplainable,” Fincke said. “For 20 minutes, I didn’t feel well, and then I felt great, so we came home early. It was a great call.”Now that Fincke is home, the Emsworth native is working to inspire the next generation of space industry professionals.”NASA needs all the help that they can get, so I’m doing my part coming here, share some of my stories as just a regular local kid here, sharing what I got to do and encouraging them to reach for the stars,” Fincke said. During his visit, Fincke met with students studying science and advanced manufacturing. He talked about his time on the International Space Station and answered any questions they had. Leaders at CCAC believe his story is a testament that anything is possible.”I think Mike is living proof that you can overcome them, and I think he should inspire our students that they can do that as well,” said Justin Starr, endowed professor of advanced technology at CCAC. Fincke believes Pittsburgh specifically has the people and tools to make huge contributions to the space industry. “In Pittsburgh, we’re a bunch of builders and makers and doers. We don’t just sit around and talk. We actually do. We’re the city of champions, so it makes perfect sense to have people from Pittsburgh be in the space program,” Fincke said. He added that Pittsburgh’s growth is coming just in time as the United States works to return to the moon. “Now we’re going there to stay. We’re going to make a moon base, and we’re going to have all kinds of lunar resources and humans living off the planet, not just in Earth orbit but on the moon,” Fincke said. Fincke expressed excitement about the progress of the Artemis program, including Artemis II and the anticipation for Artemis III.Download the WTAE app to stay connected with breaking news. Sign up for our email newsletters to get breaking news in your inbox.

PITTSBURGH —

NASA astronaut Mike Fincke stopped by Community College of Allegheny County on Wednesday morning to share his experiences and encourage students to pursue careers in the space industry following his early return from the International Space Station.

Fincke was forced to leave the space station early due to a health scare.

“I didn’t know what it was. It was just something unexplainable,” Fincke said. “For 20 minutes, I didn’t feel well, and then I felt great, so we came home early. It was a great call.”

Now that Fincke is home, the Emsworth native is working to inspire the next generation of space industry professionals.

“NASA needs all the help that they can get, so I’m doing my part coming here, share some of my stories as just a regular local kid here, sharing what I got to do and encouraging them to reach for the stars,” Fincke said.

During his visit, Fincke met with students studying science and advanced manufacturing. He talked about his time on the International Space Station and answered any questions they had. Leaders at CCAC believe his story is a testament that anything is possible.

“I think Mike is living proof that you can overcome them, and I think he should inspire our students that they can do that as well,” said Justin Starr, endowed professor of advanced technology at CCAC.

Fincke believes Pittsburgh specifically has the people and tools to make huge contributions to the space industry.

“In Pittsburgh, we’re a bunch of builders and makers and doers. We don’t just sit around and talk. We actually do. We’re the city of champions, so it makes perfect sense to have people from Pittsburgh be in the space program,” Fincke said.

He added that Pittsburgh’s growth is coming just in time as the United States works to return to the moon.

“Now we’re going there to stay. We’re going to make a moon base, and we’re going to have all kinds of lunar resources and humans living off the planet, not just in Earth orbit but on the moon,” Fincke said.

Fincke expressed excitement about the progress of the Artemis program, including Artemis II and the anticipation for Artemis III.

Download the WTAE app to stay connected with breaking news. Sign up for our email newsletters to get breaking news in your inbox.