Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore fully recover after extended space mission
Both have spent at least two hours a day daily with NASA's medical team while managing their increasing responsibilities with Boeing's Starliner programme
After a space mission that lasted far beyond its original timeline due to Boeing's Starliner capsule complications, NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore have successfully completed a 45-day rehabilitation programme following their return to Earth in March.
Originally launched on what was intended to be an eight-day test flight aboard Boeing’s troubled Starliner capsule, their stay aboard the International Space Station (ISS) stretched into a full nine months.
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Physical therapy
The duo underwent a standard 45-day readjustment period to reacclimatise their muscles, balance and basic terrestrial functions.
Both have spent at least two hours a day with astronaut strength and reconditioning officials within NASA's medical unit while managing their increasing responsibilities with Boeing's Starliner programme, NASA's space station division in Houston and agency researchers
"It's been a little bit of a whirlwind," Williams, said in an interview. "Because we also have obligations to all of the folks that we worked with."
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Post-spaceflight recovery
Williams noted her post-spaceflight recovery was gradual, experiencing fatigue and tiredness during later recovery stages as various muscles reactivated. That made it hard for her to wake up early in the mornings, until recently.
Wilmore had some issues with his back and neck before heading to space, being unable to turn his head all the way to the side, he said. These issues disappeared in space's weightless environment but returned upon landing.
When he returned in March, gravity greeted him with the neck pain he left on Earth. "We're still floating in the capsule in the ocean, and my neck starts hurting, while we still haven't even been extracted yet," he said, laughing.
Also Read: What NASA astronauts Sunita, Butch ate for nine months in space on ISS
Human limits in space
The human body, having evolved over millions of years under the Earth's gravity, was not meant for spaceflight.
The absence of gravity causes various physical changes, including muscle deterioration and cardiovascular alterations that can cause a chain reaction of other health changes.
Confinement in a small space and higher solar radiation in space, without the protection of Earth's atmosphere, contribute to health impacts.
Also Read: 'Earth missed you': Modi welcomes Sunita Williams and Crew-9 on their return
Starliner setbacks
Propulsion system issues on Boeing's Starliner forced NASA to bring the capsule back without its crew last year and to integrate the two astronauts into its normal, long-duration rotation schedule on the ISS.
Boeing has incurred $2 billion in development charges, with Nasa considering another uncrewed flight before human missions resume.
She stated, "I think that's the correct path," expressing hope that both Boeing and NASA will decide along the same lines. Nasa officials indicate that Starliner's summer testing results will determine the spacecraft's readiness for crewed missions.