NASA astronauts Barry "Butch" Wilmore and Sunita "Suni" Williams have returned to Earth after what was supposed to be an eight-day mission turned into nine months in space.
With their return to Earth, Wilmore and Williams will have spent approximately 285 days in space, making them the sixth longest-serving NASA astronauts for a single mission.
Their time in space is just shy of Peggy Whitson’s 289-day record, while Frank Rubio holds the longest NASA spaceflight record at 371 days, per the New York Post.
During their time in space on this mission, they completed 4,576 trips around Earth.
However, their extended stay aboard the International Space Station (ISS) has taken a toll on their bodies, as seen in before-and-after images that highlight the physical effects of prolonged exposure to space.
The Physical Toll of Nine Months in Space
As reported by BBC News, the two astronauts splashed down safely in the Gulf of Mexico on March 18 and were immediately stretchered away — a standard procedure for astronauts returning from long missions in microgravity.
In images from their arrival back on Earth, Wilmore and Williams appear thinner and visibly weaker than when they first launched in June 2024.
Before their departure, the pair were photographed looking fit and prepared for their expected short-term mission. Now, their post-mission images serve as a stark reminder of how space travel affects the human body. Take a look below:
What Happens to the Human Body in Space?
Per the BBC, spending time away from Earth’s gravity causes significant physical changes:
Loss of muscle mass and bone density: For every month in space, astronauts lose about 1% of their bone density. After nine months, Wilmore and Williams have likely experienced considerable weakening in their bones and muscles.
Weakened cardiovascular system: Their hearts will have become weaker because they haven’t needed to work as hard to pump blood in microgravity.
Changes to vision: Spaceflight alters the shape of the eye, often leading to deteriorating eyesight for returning astronauts.
Psychological effects: These can include anxiety and depression, due to prolonged isolation in a confined space.
Fluid buildup in the head: Without gravity pulling fluids downward, astronauts often experience a "stuffy head" feeling, similar to having a cold.
Increased radiation exposure: While NASA scientists expect most DNA damage from cosmic radiation to repair itself within a few months, long-term exposure remains a major concern.
Former NASA astronaut Terry Virts has recently described his own struggles upon returning from the ISS and shared what Williams and Wilmore are likely to experience.
“For me, I felt two things: I felt really heavy and really, really dizzy," he said. Virts added that it took time for his sense of balance to fully recover.
NASA astronaut Leroy Chiao explained on NewsNation Prime that the returning crew may experience a painful condition known as "baby feet"
"You basically lose the thick part of the skin on your feet. You kind of have baby feet when you come back," Chiao said.
This transformation makes walking painful and uncomfortable until the skin toughens up again — a process that can take anywhere from a few weeks to a couple of months.
Chiao also echoed Virts' comments regarding severe dizziness and balance disruption. “To me, it feels kind of like having the flu. It takes a couple of weeks to get back to normal,” he said.
Despite the toll Williams and Wilmore have put their bodies through, Joel Montalbano, Deputy Associate Administrator of NASA's Space Operations Mission Directorate, hailed the work they performed in space, saying: “Suni and Butch did 150 experiments and 900 hours of research during their stint on the ISS.”
Montalbano added that the work carried out "benefits the nation" and increases the chance that NASA will be successful in hitting its goal of landing a person on Mars by the end of the decade.
Adjusting Back to Life on Earth
Rehabilitation is now a crucial part of Wilmore and Williams' recovery. They will undergo weeks of physical therapy to regain strength and mobility.
NASA reportedly has a strict post-space rehabilitation program designed to help astronauts gradually reacclimate to Earth’s gravity. This includes:
- Gradual walking reintroduction, starting with soft surfaces
- Strength training and cardiovascular exercises to rebuild muscle and bone density
- Balance training to restore coordination
- Psychological support to help astronauts adjust mentally
Though their extended stay fueled speculation and political controversy, NASA officials have repeatedly denied claims that the astronauts were "stranded" in space.
NASA Administrator Bill Nelson defended the decision to return the Starliner to Earth unmanned in September 2024, stating: "Spaceflight is risky, even at its safest and most routine. A test flight, by nature, is neither safe, nor routine.
"The decision to keep Butch and Suni aboard the International Space Station and bring Boeing’s Starliner home uncrewed is the result of our commitment to safety: our core value and our North Star."
Despite these challenges, their extended mission provided valuable data on the long-term effects of space travel — information that will be essential for future missions to the Moon and Mars.
NASA will continue monitoring the astronauts' recovery, but their return highlights both the incredible resilience of the human body and the challenges of deep-space exploration.