Washington: The wait is finally over. Sunita Williams and her fellow astronaut Barry ‘Butch’ Wilmore are preparing to leave the International Space Station (ISS) after nearly 10 months. The ISS maintains an orbit around the Earth at an altitude of over 400 km from sea level.
The mission assigned to Sunita and Wilmore was expected to last 7 days, but the two were stranded at the ISS after technical snags were detected in the craft they were supposed to use to return back to Earth. Since then, NASA has been trying every trick in its book to try and bring back the two.
NASA’s Crew-10 Mission, launched aboard SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft, docked successfully at ISS at 9.40 am (IST) on Sunday. Videos released by the space agency showed Sunita and Wilmore greeting the two astronauts, as they ‘float’ out of the pod. Sunita and Wilmore – members of the Crew-9 Mission – will now use the Dragon spacecraft to return home. The two astronauts of the Crew-10 Mission will stay behind at the ISS.
The question that is being raised by many, primarily space medicine experts, is about the kind of health problems that the two astronauts are likely to face once they land on Earth after their prolonged stay in a zero-gravity environment. Some are even saying that it may take them weeks to regain full control of their lower limbs, even with the best medical care available in the planet.
One of the problems that the two are likely to face is Muscle Atrophy. This happens when people spend a long period in a microgravity environment. As there isn’t too much use of the limbs, there is a risk of muscle loss. Though the two exercised daily, doctors say that they may find it difficult to even stand, leave alone walk, for the first few days after they return to Earth.
There may also be bone density loss. Studies have revealed that prolonged exposure to zero-gravity environments can cause bone density loss of 1-2% per month. This could mean that the two astronauts may have lost 9-10% of bone density. Loss of bone density can lead to fractures.
The other issues they may face are vestibular system disruption, fluid redistribution and facial swelling, and radiation exposure risks. Sunita and Wilmore will undergo a series of medical tests after landing, for health experts to understand the kind of assistance they would require in the days to come. This will also help NASA prepare better for future missions.