Nine months in space has taken its toll
After a gruelling nine months in space, it might not come as a surprise that the NASA astronauts that were ‘stuck’ in orbit look a bit different.
On Tuesday (March 18), NASA astronauts Barry “Butch” Wilmore and Sunita “Suni” Williams returned to Earth aboard the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, after being “stranded” on the International Space Station (ISS) since June of last year.
After such an extended time away from home, the effects on their health were evident. NASA was fully prepared for this, as both astronauts were immediately taken off the spacecraft on stretchers, unable to take a single step on solid ground after their splashdown off the Gulf Coast, near Tallahassee, Florida.
After months of living in the weightless environment of space, Wilmore and Williams are now feeling the full force of gravity on their bodies for the first time in nearly nine months. While they’re back on solid ground, it comes with a host of potential health risks.
From “chicken legs” and “baby feet” to an increased risk of cancer, the transition back to Earth’s gravity can take a serious toll on astronauts’ health. Though both astronauts are undergoing medical evaluations at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, some experts are already concerned about signs of potential health decline. Before and after photos of Wilmore and Williams have raised concerns, with some onlookers noting that they appear gaunt and may have lost weight during their extended time in space. The recovery process for these space veterans is far from over.
Experts warn that Wilmore and Williams may also be dealing with a build-up of fluids in their heads, resulting from the pressure on their eyes and optical nerves during their extended stay in space. This condition, known as Spaceflight Associated Neuro-Ocular Syndrome (SANS), can cause swelling in the optic nerve and lead to blurry or distorted vision.
While many astronauts’ vision returns to normal upon their return to Earth, NASA has noted that some side effects may be permanent, depending on the duration of their mission. Given the length of Wilmore and Williams’ time in space, this is a significant concern.
In addition to the physical impact, their cognitive functions could be affected as well. The stress, changing pressures in the brain, and sleep deprivation astronauts face during long-duration spaceflights can lead to cognitive decline, a phenomenon that has been observed in previous missions. The team’s recovery journey is just beginning, and the full extent of the effects may unfold over time.
The biggest challenge Wilmore and Williams face, however, is the effect of microgravity. Without Earth’s gravitational pull, astronauts’ muscles weaken over time, leading to issues such as difficulty maintaining a healthy weight and, in some cases, trouble walking upon return to Earth. This explains why both astronauts struggled to walk when they first landed back on Earth.
Despite sticking to an intense exercise routine and consuming a high-calorie diet aboard the ISS, they can still experience muscle atrophy, which likely contributes to their frail appearance. Additionally, astronauts are at risk of Spaceflight Venous Thrombosis (SVT), which causes fluid to shift upward and can result in a “puffy” appearance, especially in the face, due to spending long periods in a microgravity environment.
Fortunately, NASA reports that most astronauts regain their mission fitness levels within 45 days of returning to Earth. However, in severe cases, recovery can take months or even up to a year.
Retired British astronaut Tim Peake shared his own experience on RadioX: “For me, going into space was no problem at all, but for the first two days on Earth, I felt pretty rough. I think Butch and Suni will be feeling a bit rough right now. The whole body is just getting used to gravity. The vestibular system is a bit messed up. You feel dizzy, a bit nauseous. So, it’ll take them a couple of days to get over that.”
