After nine months in space, Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore face severe physical challenges, including bone density loss, weakened muscles, and radiation exposure.
March 16, 2025: After spending an unexpected nine months in space, US astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore are set to return to Earth next week—but their homecoming won’t be easy. Originally planned as an eight-day mission, their prolonged stay aboard the International Space Station (ISS) due to technical difficulties has put their bodies through immense stress.
As NASA’s Crew-10 prepares to enter the ISS on Sunday (March 16) after launching from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida aboard the Falcon 9 rocket, experts warn that Williams and Wilmore may face severe physiological challenges upon re-entering Earth’s gravity.
“Baby Feet” – A Painful Adjustment
One of the most immediate effects of prolonged weightlessness is “baby feet”, a condition where the soles of an astronaut’s feet become unusually soft and sensitive due to the lack of pressure and friction in space.
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On Earth, constant contact with surfaces hardens the soles of our feet, providing protection from pain and wear. However, in space, this hardened skin peels away, leaving behind tender, vulnerable skin. Walking on solid ground after months in microgravity can become an extremely painful process, taking weeks or even months for the feet to toughen up again.
Bone Density & Muscle Loss
Another major challenge will be bone density loss. NASA studies show that astronauts lose approximately 1% of bone mass per month in space unless rigorous countermeasures, such as resistance exercises, are taken.
Similarly, muscles weaken significantly since they do not have to work as hard in a zero-gravity environment. Everyday movements on Earth—such as standing and walking—require muscular effort, which is absent in space. Upon their return, astronauts often struggle with basic movements, needing rehabilitation to regain full strength.
Blood Circulation & Vision Impairment
In space, the absence of gravity also alters blood flow, reducing blood volume and causing fluid retention in the upper body. This can lead to blood clots and pressure-related vision changes, which is why many astronauts develop eyesight problems post-mission.
Fluids that typically drain downward on Earth tend to accumulate in the head and eyes in space, sometimes leading to flattened eyeballs and weakened vision—a phenomenon that has been documented in several returning astronauts.
Radiation Exposure: A Hidden Threat
Beyond the visible physical changes, astronauts face the long-term risk of radiation exposure. Unlike on Earth, where the magnetic field and atmosphere shield humans from harmful cosmic radiation, space travelers are exposed to three types of radiation:
- Particles trapped in Earth’s magnetic field
- Solar radiation from the Sun
- Galactic cosmic rays from deep space
This increased radiation exposure raises concerns about potential DNA damage and long-term health risks, including an increased chance of developing cancer.
A Tough Road Ahead
While space agencies have developed extensive rehabilitation programs to help astronauts readjust, Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore’s return will be far from smooth. From painful walking difficulties to weakened bones and muscles, their recovery journey will be a testament to the toll of extended space travel—and a crucial learning experience for future long-duration missions to Mars and beyond.
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NASA, Sunita Williams, Butch Wilmore, ISS astronauts, space travel effects, microgravity impact, astronaut rehabilitation, radiation exposure, bone density loss, baby feet, vision impairment, space exploration, Falcon 9, Crew-10