After nine months in space, NASA astronauts Barry “Butch” Wilmore and Sunita “Suni” Williams are finally back on Earth, but their journey to full recovery is just beginning.
On Tuesday (March 18), the SpaceX Crew Dragon successfully brought the astronauts home after their original return vehicle, a Boeing vessel, was deemed unsafe for travel.
The pair had initially planned to spend just over a week aboard the International Space Station (ISS) but ended up spending 286 days in orbit due to ongoing technical delays.
While their homecoming was met with celebration, the effects of long-term space travel mean their bodies now face a grueling rehabilitation process that could take up to 45 days before they regain full strength.
Spending extended time in space dramatically affects the body, and returning astronauts must undergo carefully structured programs to recover from the physical toll of zero gravity.
According to pulmonologist and Air Force veteran Vinay Gupta, the recovery process isn’t just about regaining strength – it’s a complete reconditioning of the body.
The expert told the Daily Mail that the two astronauts will have to have a good exercise regime and nutritional plan.
The first phase of rehab will focus on walking, flexibility, and muscle strengthening, as even these basic movements become challenging after months of microgravity.
While space travel may seem exciting, it is far from hospitable to the human body. Even with the latest technology aboard the International Space Station (ISS), astronauts experience dramatic physical changes during extended missions.
One of the biggest challenges is bone density loss. According to NASA, astronauts lose between 1% and 1.5% of bone mass per month in microgravity. This can lead to increased fracture risk, reduced mobility, and chronic back pain.
Additionally, since the human body is mostly liquid, fluids that normally settle downward on Earth instead shift upward in zero gravity, affecting circulation and pressure.
Extended time in space also leads to a loss of basic motor skills, making everyday movements like walking difficult. This means Butch and Suni will struggle to walk unassisted for some time after their return.
On top of that, gravity plays a crucial role in immune and cardiovascular function. Without it, astronauts often return to Earth with a weakened immune system and changes in heart function, requiring careful monitoring and rehabilitation in the weeks following their return.
So while Wilmore and Williams are undoubtedly relieved to be home, their return to normal life won’t be immediate.
