Brief by Shorts91NewsDesk / 08:17am on 16 Mar 2025,Sunday Science
NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore have been stranded aboard the International Space Station (ISS) for nine months due to technical issues with their return spacecraft. They are scheduled to return to Earth no earlier than March 19, 2025, aboard SpaceX's Crew Dragon-10 mission. Prolonged exposure to microgravity poses significant health challenges for returning astronauts. They may experience "baby feet," a condition where foot calluses disappear, leading to walking difficulties upon return. Additionally, astronauts face bone density loss, with weight-bearing bones losing approximately 1% density per month in space, resulting in increased fragility. Muscle atrophy is another concern, necessitating extensive rehabilitation. Cardiovascular and neurological systems are also affected; fluid shifts in the brain can cause vision and hearing issues, while the heart may undergo structural changes, complicating blood pressure regulation. Furthermore, increased radiation exposure during extended missions elevates the risk of cancer and central nervous system disorders.
