Astronauts Barry Wilmore and Suni Williams to Return to Earth After Extended Space Mission

TDT | Manama
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NASA astronauts Barry "Butch" Wilmore and Suni Williams are set to return to Earth on Tuesday after spending nearly nine months aboard the International Space Station. Their extended mission, originally scheduled for just eight days, has led to significant physical changes in their bodies, a typical consequence of prolonged exposure to microgravity.

During their time in space, both astronauts have experienced a range of physiological effects. Without the force of gravity, their bodies have undergone fluid redistribution, causing changes such as a "puffy face" and "chicken legs." Additionally, astronauts often experience a temporary increase in height due to spinal elongation, a phenomenon that reverses once they return to Earth.

NASA doctors have closely monitored Wilmore and Williams, ensuring they are in good health ahead of their return. While the long-term health effects of extended space travel are still being studied, the astronauts are expected to recover rapidly once back on Earth. Recovery typically involves rehabilitation to restore muscle strength, bone density, and coordination, all of which can deteriorate in microgravity. Astronauts usually engage in several hours of exercise daily while in space to mitigate these effects.

Space travel also impacts vision, with many astronauts experiencing blurred vision due to fluid redistribution affecting the eyes. The condition, known as Spaceflight Associated Neuro-Ocular Syndrome, usually resolves after returning to Earth, but it remains a subject of ongoing study.

In addition to physical changes, astronauts in space also face changes at the cellular level, including altered immune function and potential DNA modifications due to radiation exposure. However, studies have shown that most of these changes return to normal once astronauts are back on Earth.

As NASA continues to monitor the health of its astronauts, the agency is gaining valuable insights into the long-term effects of space travel. This knowledge is essential as future missions, including potential trips to the Moon and Mars, become increasingly feasible.