Nine months afloat: The lasting health impact of prolonged space missions
Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams spent 286 days on the International Space Station. Upon their return, they admitted to struggling with the health effects of being in space. Although two months have passed, their visit to orbit still impacts their daily well-being.
Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams returned to Earth in March after spending nine months in space. Their stay on the International Space Station lasted exactly 286 days.
The American astronauts launched in June 2024 on what was planned to be an eight-day mission to the International Space Station, but they ended up staying for nine months. This was due to malfunctions in Boeing's Starliner propulsion system, which prevented their return to Earth.
They spent 286 days in space talking about the health effects
When they finally found themselves back on Earth, they discussed the health effects of their time in orbit. Sunita Williams admitted that after eight months, she forgot what it was like to walk. Even while on the station, it was reported that the health of the two astronauts was being continuously monitored. Microgravity meant that immediately after landing, Williams and Wilmore were carried on stretchers.
The prolonged stay in space affected their muscular system, which weakened due to reduced load. These issues mean that astronauts sometimes have to relearn how to walk. Commentators also noticed that the two American astronauts appeared very thin.
Two months after landing, Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams are still coping with changes in their bodies. According to the portal ladbible.com, the 59-year-old astronaut still experiences back pain. "I still got a little twinge in one spot in my back after a couple of months," Williams said. She added that sleep was the biggest problem—it was only recently that she managed to return to her morning routine, which means waking up at 9:00 in the morning (GMT).
They are going through a rehabilitation programme
Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams have been working with NASA's medical team on rebuilding muscle mass, regaining balance in Earth's gravity, and preventing further loss of bone mass—all issues resulting from the extended stay in space, which causes muscles to weaken.
According to Ladbible.com, after completing the two-month rehabilitation programme, the astronauts appear to be almost fully recovered. However, they are still getting used to life on Earth and its gravity.
