Written By: Satata Karmakar | Published : March 20, 2025 9:56 AM IST
Sunita Williams, Butch Wilmore Begin 45-Day Rehab: Health Challenges NASA Astronauts Facing After 10 Months In Space
Sunita Williams News: NASA astronauts Sunita Williams, and Barry 'Butch' Wilmore are finally back to Earth after their short-space mission turned into 286 days wait for rescue at the International Space Station (ISS). On June 5, 2024, Williams and Wilmore were launched aboard Boeing's Starliner spacecraft for an eight-day test mission to the ISS. However, due to unexpected technical glitches (helium leakage) with the spacecraft, their return was delayed, extending the short-space mission to 286 days. After a prolonged wait, both the stranded astronauts returned to Earth on March 18, 2025.
Although the unexpected extension of their stay left them dealing with isolation and mental health problems, experts suggest that the real challenge for both astronauts has just begun. "Prolonged exposure to microgravity can have serious impact on the bodies of the astronauts. These health problems can get triggered upon re-entering the gravity," an expert said.
In a recent statement, NASA officials have revealed that both astronauts will undergo medical check-ups and rehabilitation processes to help their bodies cope with gravity after 286 days in space. "Both astronauts have embarked on a comprehensive 45-day rehabilitation program to readjust to Earth's gravity and address the physiological challenges resulting from their extended time in space," NASA told the media during a press conference conducted post-Sunita Williams, and Butch WIlmore's return to Earth.
Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore's mission was originally slated for a short-term stay on the ISS. However, unforeseen propulsion problems with the Boeing Starliner capsule led to a significant extension of their mission, totaling 286 days in orbit. This prolonged exposure to microgravity has left serious effects on the human body (mostly due to the space radiation, and microgravity environment), making it essential for the astronauts to undergo compulsory rehabilitation and medical support upon re-entering Earth's gravity.
Prolonged exposure to microgravity environments like space can trigger some serious health issues in astronauts. These problems include:
The first and the most dangerous impact of prolonged space stay is muscle weakness. Unlike Earth, space doesn't have gravity -- leading to ess work for the muscles to support the body movements. In the absence of gravity, muscles, especially the legs, back and shoulder can suffer from extreme weakness.
Another serious impact of prolonged space stay is bone density loss. According to the studies, when exposed to microgravity for long period, the bones of the astronauts usually lose the density at a rate of 1-2% per month, increasing the risk of fractures and osteoporosis upon re-entering gravity.
Microgravity causes bodily fluids to shift towards the head, leading to facial puffiness and increased intracranial pressure. This fluid shift can result in vision impairments, a condition observed in some astronauts post-mission.
Not just the bones or the muscles, but even the heart's health is impacted by space radiation. Studies have shown that the heart muscle faces extreme weakness due to reduced gravitational forces, potentially leading to orthostatic intolerance - which makes it difficult for the astronauts to stand properly upon reaching Earth.
When the human body is on the Earth, there is an atmospheric layer that doesn't let harmful radiation from directly entering the skin cells. However. this atmospheric layer is missing in space, and without any protection, astronauts are exposed to higher levels of cosmic radiation, increasing the long-term risk of cancer and other health issues.
To counteract these effects, NASA has planned a structured rehabilitation program for the astronauts to help their bodies re-adjust to gravity. "The Astronaut Strength, Conditioning, and Rehabilitation (ASCR) program begun on landing day and consists of three phases: an initial focus on mobility and muscle strengthening, followed by proprioceptive exercises and cardiovascular conditioning, and finally, the third and longest phase, which will focus on functional development." Here is what is included in the program:
This rehab process helps the astronauts re-adjust to the Earth's gravity and fight the odds.
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