2 weeks Ago By Satata Karmakar
Sunita Williams News: NASA astronauts Sunita Williams, and Barry ‘Butch’ Wilmore have finally returned to Earth after spending more than 9 months in space. A short space mission which was initially planned for just 8 days, turned into a 286-day wait for rescue after the Boeing carrying the astronauts faced severe technical issues, including helium leakage. After several failed attempts to bring them back, the SpaceX crew finally brought the astronauts home on 19th March 2025.
Sunita Williams’ and Barry Wilmore returned to Earth aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule, along with astronauts Nick Hague and Alexander Gorbunov. After their capsule splashed down off the coast of Tallahassee, they were both immediately taken for medical tests on reclining stretchers. Take a look at them HERE:Home sweet home.
NASA’s SpaceX #Crew9 touched down at Johnson Space Center’s Ellington Field in Houston at 11:19 pm CDT, March 18, after their @Space_Station mission and successful splashdown earlier this afternoon.Welcome home, Butch, Suni, Nick, & Aleksandr! pic.twitter.
com/fbgWiU9ird— NASA’s Johnson Space Center (@NASA_Johnson) March 19, 2025This is not an unusual sight for astronauts re-entering Earth’s gravity after prolonged exposure to microgravity. NASA has extensively studied the physiological changes that occur in astronauts during and after space missions. These changes impact muscle strength, bone density, cardiovascular health, and even neurological functions.
Today, in this article, we will take a close look at what NASA says about the health impact of prolonged stay in space.Why Was Sunita Williams Carried Away on a Stretcher?After spending 286 days in space, upon re-entering Earth’s gravity astronauts can often experience several health difficulties. This prolonged exposure to microgravity can make standing or walking difficult.
As NASA explains — when exposed to microgravity, the body undergoes drastic changes while, re-adapting to Earth’s gravity is a strenuous process. Sunita Williams‘ appearance on a stretcher highlights these physiological shifts, which include:Muscle Atrophy: The first health impact that space stay has on health is severe muscle weakness. This is especially visible on the legs and core.
This unusually weak muscle problem can make it hard for the astronauts to stand or walk immediately after re-entering gravity.Bone Density Loss: Without gravity, bones lose minerals, becoming weaker and more prone to fractures.Blood Flow Redistribution: Fluids shift toward the head in microgravity, causing cardiovascular adjustments that make standing upright difficult upon return.
Balance and Coordination Issues: The vestibular system in the inner ear, which helps maintain balance, becomes less effective in space, leading to dizziness and instability on Earth.In the absence of Earth’s gravity, an astronaut’s spine elongates, resulting in a temporary increase in height. However, this lack of gravity also slows down the cells responsible for building bone tissue, while the cells that break down bones continue to function normally, leading to faster bone deterioration.
Additionally, muscles weaken due to the reduced gravitational pull.Sunita Williams Is Suffering From Baby Feet After 9 Months Space StayAnother health problem that can make it difficult for the astronauts to stand after landing on Earth is severe bone density loss – which can cause ‘Baby Feet’. As per studies, each month spent in space causes an astronaut’s weight-bearing bones to lose about 1% of their density, making them weaker — difficult to walk properly.
As calluses fade and the body becomes less accustomed to using the muscles and bones in the legs, astronauts can develop a condition known as “baby feet.” This condition results in the loss of the thick, hardened skin under the feet, making walking more difficult. This is why astronauts are usually carried away on a stretcher after landing.
Sunita Williams’ post-landing struggles are a stark reminder of the physical toll space travel takes on the human body. While space exploration opens new frontiers, it also presents significant health challenges. According to the latest updates, NASA astronauts are currently attending a 45-day rehabilitation program to help their bodies re-adjust to microgravity easily.
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