Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore Set to Return After Prolonged Stay in Space
Washington, March 11 – NASA has announced that astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore, who have been stranded at the International Space Station (ISS) for nearly nine months due to technical issues with Boeing’s Starliner, are finally set to return to Earth. Originally intended as a 10-day mission, their stay extended significantly due to spacecraft malfunctions.
Officials have confirmed that SpaceX’s Dragon capsule will be launched next week to bring the astronauts back. According to NASA’s latest schedule, Williams and Wilmore are expected to return by March 16.
Speaking from the ISS, Sunita Williams shared her concerns about readjusting to Earth’s gravity after spending an extended period in microgravity. She mentioned that walking on Earth might feel as challenging as walking on sharp thorns, as she has not walked for months due to the lack of gravity in space. She emphasized that adapting to Earth after an extended stay in space is a complex process, both physically and mentally.
Upon their return, Williams and Wilmore will not be able to go home immediately. They will undergo extensive medical examinations and rehabilitation. Experts explain that astronauts returning from space often experience muscle and bone loss due to prolonged exposure to weightlessness. It typically takes around 45 days for their bodies to regain strength and adjust to Earth’s gravity. Only after completing all necessary medical tests will they be allowed to resume their normal routines.
Medical experts warn that astronauts face several health risks after extended space missions, including increased exposure to cosmic radiation, which can have deep biological effects and potentially increase cancer risks. Additionally, changes in heart and lung function occur in space due to reduced workload on these organs, making readjustment to Earth’s gravity more challenging. To aid their recovery, Williams and Wilmore will be placed in a specially controlled environment to gradually reacclimate to terrestrial conditions.
The unexpected extension of their mission underscores the challenges of space travel and the need for more reliable spacecraft technology. NASA’s upcoming missions will incorporate these lessons to ensure safer and more efficient space exploration in the future.
