Written By: Satata Karmakar | Updated : March 5, 2025 4:56 PM IST
Sunita Williams' Return to Earth: NASA Astronaut To Face Severe Health Problems, Risk of Multiple Fractures Post-Landing
Sunita Williams Latest News: After spending over 9 months inside a spacecraft at the International Space Station (ISS), Indian-origin NASA astronaut Sunita Williams, along with her colleague Barry 'Butch' Wilmore are all set to return to the Earth. According to the latest updates by the US-based space agency, the two were stranded at the ISS after their boieng met with technical glitches upon reaching space last year. This is why a space mission that was initially planned for a short 7-day tour got extended by 9 months.
While Williams' homecoming will be a moment of celebration, it also brings significant health concerns. Commenting about her health, ex-NASA scientists have cautioned that the real challenge for Sunita Williams will start after re-entering the Earth's gravitational force. "Astronauts who are exposed to the space's microgravity for a long time often experience severe physiological challenges, including muscle weakness and loss of bone density. Williams' real challenge will begin when these will worsen after landing," the expert quoted as saying.
While living in space may look fascinating to many, only the scientists and astronauts know the real problems that they face. Earth's gravity plays a crucial role in maintaining bone density, muscle strength, and various bodily functions. However, in the weightless environment of space, astronauts experience significant physiological changes, including:
The first and most concerning health problem for astronauts that they face while being exposed to microgravity for a long time is severe muscle weakness - medically known as muscle atrophy. Without the need for constant movement against gravity, muscles weaken over time, affecting an astronaut's ability to walk and perform routine tasks upon landing.
Space studies have shown that Astronauts can lose up to 1-2% of bone mass per month in microgravity. This sudden depletion can lead to brittle bones, making them highly susceptible to fractures upon return to Earth.
Serious Heart Health Issues
Another big health challenge for the astronauts is that their heart muscles become weak when their body is exposed to microgravity for a long time. Experts have stated that the heart undergoes deconditioning, leading to orthostatic intolerance, where astronauts may struggle to stand upright without fainting.
Extended stays in space can also have severe effects on the vestibular system, leading to dizziness and disorientation upon return.
Studies indicate that prolonged exposure to space can alter immune responses, making astronauts more prone to infections.
Sunita Williams has spent a cumulative 321 days in space across her missions, and her current mission has extended her exposure to microgravity further. The longer an astronaut stays in space, the greater the physiological toll on their body. Upon landing, she may face:
The primary concern surrounding Sunita Williams's return is the risk of fractures. Bone loss occurs due to reduced mechanical stress in microgravity, causing bones to weaken significantly. Studies conducted on astronauts who have spent long durations on the International Space Station (ISS) indicate that post-flight bone recovery can take years. The most vulnerable areas include:
NASA and medical researchers closely monitor returning astronauts, conducting imaging tests like DEXA scans to assess bone density loss and potential fracture risks.
During a news conference on Tuesday, Wilmore said that while politics is part of life, it did not play into his and Williams' return, moved up a couple of weeks thanks to a change in SpaceX capsules. President Donald Trump and SpaceX's Elon Musk said at the end of January that they wanted to accelerate the astronauts' return, blaming the previous administration.
But Williams, in response to a question, did take issue with Musk's recent call to dump the space station in two years, rather than waiting until NASA's projected deorbit in 2031. She noted all the scientific research being performed at the orbiting lab.
"This place is ticking. It's just really amazing, so I would say we're actually in our prime right now," said Williams, a three-time space station resident. "I would think that right now is probably not the right time to say quit, call it quits."
Williams said she can't wait to be reunited with her Labrador retrievers. The hardest part about the unexpected extended stay, she added, was the wait for their families back home. "It's been a roller coaster for them, probably a little bit more so than for us," she said. "We're here. We have a mission. We're just just doing what we do every day, and every day is interesting because we're up in space and it's a lot of fun."
"We Are just Butch and Suni," Williams said. "Everybody knows who we are by now."
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