Recently, the International Space Station (ISS) shared images on social media showcasing the daily life of astronauts.
This series of photos features two American astronauts, Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams, enjoying a pizza party together. While both appear cheerful, many netizens have noticed that Sunita Williams’ face looks much thinner and gaunter compared to her time on Earth.
Sunita’s gaunt face after a long time stuck on the ISS worries many (Photo: ISS).
Many netizens have expressed their concerns and asked questions regarding the health of astronaut Sunita Williams. “Is Sunita okay? How is her health?”, an Instagram user shared their worry upon seeing Sunita Williams’ gaunt face.
“It seems like the two astronauts stuck on the ISS are not well, especially Sunita Williams”, commented another netizen.
The concern for astronaut Sunita Williams’ health stems from the fact that she and her colleague Butch Wilmore have been stuck in space longer than expected.
Previously, on June 5, Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft was successfully launched, sending Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams to the International Space Station (ISS). The two astronauts were scheduled to stay on the ISS for one week before returning to Earth.
However, after Starliner docked with the ISS, experts discovered a fuel leak in the spacecraft.
During the repair process, additional leak points were found in all of the spacecraft’s thrusters. This forced astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams to remain on the ISS at least until 2025 before they can return to Earth.
As a result, what was supposed to be a one-week trip has turned into over six months of the NASA astronauts being stranded in space, with no clear timeline for their return.
The extended stay in space has raised significant concerns about the health of the two American astronauts.
Pulmonologist Dr. Vinay Gupta in Seattle also expressed his concerns regarding the prolonged time two astronauts have spent in space.
“What you see in the photo is someone I think is experiencing the natural stresses of living at a very high altitude, even in a pressurized cabin, for a long time,” Dr. Vinay Gupta shared.
“They are consuming very high-calorie food because human bodies burn more calories in space, but this is not necessarily a balanced diet,” Dr. Gupta added.
Astronaut Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore before their trip to the ISS (Photo: PTI).
The longer astronauts live in space, the more intense pressures they endure that affect their bodies, such as fluid distribution, making it very difficult for them to adapt when returning to Earth.
Many astronauts face bone density loss and muscle atrophy. Although the ISS has a gym designed to help astronauts exercise, it cannot completely prevent muscle loss and damage to bones and joints.
Astronauts may take several years to fully recover their health after six months in space. Nonetheless, they still face health repercussions such as a higher risk of fractures or even cancer…
Another issue many astronauts face after extended time in space is psychological and emotional trauma, as they often work alone and are separated from loved ones for long periods.
Last month, a group of four astronauts returned to Earth after 235 days of work on the ISS, which is longer than typical missions to the ISS, which last only six months.
One of the four astronauts was taken to the emergency room for a health check, but NASA did not disclose the reason or the condition of the individual.
