NASA astronauts left stranded in space by the Biden administration are now facing serious health challenges after spending nearly nine months in space. Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore now struggle to walk and need extensive rehabilitation upon their return to Earth’s gravity.
At a glance:
• NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore have been stranded in space for nine months due to technical issues with Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft
• Upon return to Earth, they will be unable to walk and will require immediate medical assistance
• Astronauts lose 1-2% of bone density each month in space, significantly increasing fracture risk
• They’ve been exposed to radiation equivalent to nine years’ worth during their extended mission
• Recovery involves a 45-day rehabilitation program, but full recovery could take months or years
Space Takes a Toll on American Heroes
The needlessly prolonged space mission of American astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore has left the pair unable to walk and needing extensive physical therapy to get back on their feet. Medical experts warn that their bodies have undergone significant changes after experiencing microgravity for approximately nine months aboard the International Space Station.
Dr. John Jaquish, a biomedical engineer, has highlighted the fundamental problem facing these brave astronauts. “The human body needs the Earth’s gravitational pull, and in an absence of that, a lot of things are not functioning correctly,” Dr. Jaquish said.
And while the symptoms are to be expected, the astronauts spent far more time in space than anticipated – and it’s all because Biden refused to let SpaceX save them during his time as President.
Williams herself acknowledged the strange situation during a communication from the ISS.
“I’ve been up here long enough, right now I’ve been trying to remember what it’s like to walk. I haven’t walked. I haven’t sat down. I haven’t laid down,” Williams said.
The mission extension was not part of NASA’s original plan but became necessary when technical failures plagued Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft. These American astronauts stepped up when needed, demonstrating the exceptional dedication that makes our space program the envy of the world.
Health Risks and Recovery Challenges
The health impacts facing Williams and Wilmore are substantial and concerning. Experts say they have lost significant bone density during their extended stay in space, with astronauts typically losing 1-2 percent of bone mass each month in microgravity.
Dr. Vinay Gupta, a pulmonologist and Air Force veteran, outlined the serious radiation exposure concerns. “If I was their physician, I would think about a more proactive strategy for cancer screening. We want to take a different approach here, given that they had such a unique exposure history,” said Dr. Gupta explained.
The astronauts’ cardiovascular systems have also adapted to the zero-gravity environment, creating potential complications upon return to Earth. Blood that normally pools in the lower extremities has redistributed throughout their bodies, requiring significant readjustment when they return to our planet’s gravitational field.
Thankfully, NASA has developed a comprehensive rehabilitation program to help Williams and Wilmore recover from their extended space mission. The 45-day program includes three progressive phases focusing on strength development, flexibility exercises, and cardiovascular reconditioning to help them readapt to Earth’s gravity.
