Sunita Williams Return News: NASA astronaut Sunita Williams returns after 10 months in space, facing health problems due to prolonged weightlessness. What health checkups are waiting for her? Read on to find out!
Sunita Williams News: NASA astronaut Sunita Williams, and Barry ‘Butch’ Wilmore, are set to re-enter Earth’s gravitational force, after being stranded at the International Space Station (ISS) for more than 10 months. A short space mission that was initially planned for 7 days got extended to infinity after the spacecraft, which was carrying the astronauts, faced serious technical glitches upon reaching the ISS.
Now, with NASA finalizing plans for her re-entry, Williams will soon experience Earth’s gravity again, which, according to the experts, will pose significant health challenges for the astronauts after being exposed to microgravity for such a long period. “The real challenge for the NASA astronauts will begin after they re-enter Earth’s gravitational force. To date, both of them were okay, but things may turn worse now,” a space expert told TheHealthSite.com. Upon landing, Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore will undergo a series of medical evaluations to assess the impact of long-term weightlessness on their body, including muscle atrophy, bone density loss, cardiovascular changes, and potential neurological effects.
Sunita Williams’ 10 Months At ISS: How Space Affects the Human Body
As both the stranded astronauts are finally re-entering Earth’s gravitational force, let’s explore how her body will react to Earth’s gravity and the medical tests she will undergo to assess her post-mission health. But before getting into what medical help NASA has planned for her, let’s understand the serious health effects on astronauts’ bodies that prolonged space stays can have.
- Muscle Atrophy and Bone Density Loss: When the human body is exposed to microgravity for a long period, the body slowly suffers from severe muscle weakness and bone density loss. This mainly happens because when in space, there is a lack of gravitational force — leading to less requirement of muscles and bones to act as much as they do when on Earth. Studies have shown that astronauts can lose 1-1.5% of bone density per month, increasing the risk of fractures. Muscle mass reduction makes movements difficult when they return to Earth.
- Fluid Redistribution: Microgravity causes fluid shifts in the body, leading to facial puffiness and increased intracranial pressure. Astronauts often experience orthostatic intolerance, making it hard to stand upright immediately after landing.
- Cardiovascular Changes: The heart doesn’t have to pump against gravity in space, which can lead to reduced cardiovascular efficiency. Post-flight orthostatic hypotension is common, where astronauts may feel dizzy or faint when standing up.
- Vision Changes: Increased pressure on the optic nerve in microgravity can cause Spaceflight-Associated Neuro-ocular Syndrome (SANS), leading to vision impairment.
- Psychological Effects: Prolonged isolation and confinement in space affect mental health, potentially leading to stress, anxiety, and depression.
Sunita Williams’ Return To Earth: Health Check-Ups After Landing
After Sunita Williams re-enters Earth’s atmosphere, NASA will conduct a set of health check-ups and medical tests to check her overall health and plan the recovery treatments accordingly. Some of the critical examinations that NASA astronauts will go through are:
Cardiovascular Tests
When the human body is exposed to microgravity for a prolonged period, the heart may develop certain issues. An Orthostatic intolerance test is usually done to check blood pressure regulation. Other tests that are done to check the heart health include Echocardiograms and ECGs.
Bone Density and Muscle Strength Tests
As discussed above, prolonged exposure to microgravity can lead to muscle weakness and bone density loss in astronauts. Upon re-entering the Earth’s gravity, they go through DEXA scans (Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry) to measure bone loss. And, MRI and CT scans to analyze muscle atrophy.
Neurological Examinations
The next crucial problem that astronauts face upon reaching the Earth is difficulty in balancing and being able to properly coordinate with movements. NASA astronauts will go through tests to determine motor function. MRI scans of the brain to detect changes in brain structure. They will also undergo cognitive and reaction time assessments to evaluate brain function post-mission.
Vision and Eye Health Evaluations
Ophthalmic tests to check for SANS (Spaceflight-Associated Neuro-ocular Syndrome). Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) scans to monitor changes in the retina.
Psychological and Behavioral Health Check-Ups
Stress level assessments using cortisol tests. Interviews with psychologists to discuss emotional well-being. Sleep studies to examine changes in circadian rhythm post-space travel.
Sunita Williams’s return to Earth marks not just the end of her prolonged space mission but the beginning of an extensive health recovery process. The post-mission check-ups will assess the impact of space travel on her body and mind, ensuring she regains optimal health. With advanced medical interventions and NASA’s dedicated rehabilitation programs, she is expected to make a full recovery and prepare for future space explorations.
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