The wife of an astronaut who was stranded in space for nine months has opened up about his health now he is back on Earth.
As you're probably aware, NASA astronauts Barry "Butch" Wilmore and Sunita "Suni" Williams have returned to Earth, facing significant challenges as they readjust to life under gravity.
Originally slated for an eight-day journey aboard Boeing's Starliner capsule, their mission extended to 286 days due to technical malfunctions.
The absence of gravity in space causes muscle atrophy and bone density loss. According to medical experts, astronauts can lose up to 1% of bone density for each month spent in microgravity, potentially resulting in a 9% loss over their mission duration.
To combat these effects, Wilmore and Williams are undergoing a comprehensive 45-day rehabilitation program at NASA's Johnson Space Center.
This regimen includes physical therapy to rebuild muscle strength, cardiovascular exercises, and balance training to restore coordination.
The prolonged exposure to microgravity has led to considerable physical effects.
Per the Daily Mail, Wilmore's wife, Deanna, shared insights into his current condition, stating: "Barry does say gravity is not his friend right now, and you know the stamina is not there, and so they do have to rest and relax quite a bit because they're just not strong yet."
This sentiment is echoed by their daughter, Daryn, who noted that her father is "doing good, it’s rough, but he’s a trooper."
Beyond the physical challenges, the astronauts are also navigating psychological adjustments.
The sensory overload upon returning to Earth's environment can be overwhelming after months in the confined quarters of the International Space Station.
NASA provides psychological support to assist astronauts in acclimating to the myriad stimuli of daily life on Earth.
Despite these hurdles, Wilmore and Williams are cherishing their reunion with family and friends. Wilmore's return is particularly timely, allowing him to attend his daughter Logan's high school graduation next month. The family is also planning a summer trip to celebrate his homecoming.
The extended mission, while challenging, provided invaluable data on the long-term effects of space travel on the human body.
This information is crucial as NASA prepares for future deep-space missions, including potential journeys to Mars.
Joel Montalbano, Deputy Associate Administrator of NASA's Space Operations Mission Directorate, praised the astronauts' contributions, noting that they conducted 150 experiments and logged 900 hours of research during their time on the ISS.
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.