NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, who were part of the Crew-9 mission, returned to Earth on March 19 aboard SpaceX’s Dragon Freedom after a nine-month over stay at the International Space Station (ISS). Their return followed a “rescue” operation led by fellow astronaut Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov.
Williams and Wilmore’s extended stay garnered global attention as their originally short mission turned into an unexpected months-long ordeal. The two astronauts had traveled to the ISS in June 2024 for a scheduled eight-day mission. However, their stay was extended indefinitely when the Boeing Starliner capsule encountered propulsion issues during its maiden test flight, delaying their return. The faulty capsule finally made it back to Earth in September 2024.
Their extended mission became a global story, with their plight resonating worldwide. The phrase “stuck at work” took on new meaning, and “Butch and Suni” quickly became household names. While astronauts have logged longer spaceflights throughout history, no one had experienced such prolonged uncertainty or seen their mission extended so many times.
What’s Next for Suni and Butch?
After returning from their extended ISS mission, NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore have begun a 45-day rehabilitation program to help them readjust to Earth’s gravity. Designed by NASA’s Astronaut Strength, Conditioning, and Rehabilitation (ASCR) specialists, the program includes daily two-hour sessions focusing on mobility, muscle strengthening, and endurance.
The rehabilitation process is divided into three phases, each addressing the physiological effects of prolonged weightlessness, such as muscle atrophy, fluid shifts, and reduced bone density. In phase one, astronauts work on regaining strength, flexibility, and their ability to walk. Phase two introduces proprioceptive exercises and cardio reconditioning, which aim to strengthen the body and enhance the mind’s awareness of movement and position. The final phase, the longest, focuses on restoring astronauts to their optimal physical performance through functional development training.
Key Events in Post-Mission Recovery and Debriefing
Immediate Medical Attention:
Upon splashdown off the coast of Florida, Sunita Williams and her fellow astronauts were carefully assisted out of the SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule and placed on stretchers for initial medical assessments. This standard procedure helps address the physical challenges astronauts face after extended exposure to microgravity, such as muscle atrophy and balance issues.
Shifting to Johnson Space Center:
The astronauts were flown to NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, where they underwent several days of health checks. This routine process ensures that flight surgeons can clear them for travel home to their families once they are deemed fit.
Post-Mission Debriefings:
Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore are expected to participate in debriefings, during which they’ll discuss their mission experiences, challenges, and successes. These discussions help NASA gather valuable insights to improve future missions.
Family Reunions:
After such an extended mission, the astronauts will prioritize spending quality time with their loved ones. Reconnecting with family and friends is essential for an astronaut’s psychological well-being and helps with the transition back to everyday life on Earth. Earlier this month, Sunita Williams shared with reporters that she was especially excited to return home to see her family and two dogs.
Challenges for Astronauts Back on Earth
Readjusting to Gravity: After long-duration space missions, astronauts face a challenging readjustment to Earth’s gravity. The absence of gravity during their time in space causes dizziness, nausea, and an unstable gait upon return. Astronauts may struggle with standing, stabilizing their gaze, walking, and turning. For their safety, they are typically placed in a chair immediately upon landing. The process of recalibrating to Earth’s gravity can take several weeks.
Baby Feet: Astronauts often experience a condition called “baby feet” after returning from space. In space, the soles of the feet lose the thickened skin that develops from regular contact with surfaces on Earth, leaving the feet soft and sensitive, much like a baby’s. This can make walking uncomfortable as the skin gradually thickens again.
Orthostatic Hypotension: Astronauts frequently experience dizziness when standing up after returning to Earth, a condition known as orthostatic hypotension. This occurs because gravity on Earth is stronger than in space, making it more difficult for the body to deliver blood from the heart to the brain, causing a drop in blood pressure and dizziness.
Bone and Muscle Loss: In microgravity, astronauts’ bones and muscles don’t have to work as hard, leading to significant muscle atrophy and bone density loss. For every month spent in space, astronauts’ weight-bearing bones become about one percent less dense. This can result in problems like falls, fractures, osteoporosis, and other health issues once back on Earth. Rebuilding strength and density can take months, and some damage may be permanent.
Vision Issues: Space travel can cause changes to the eyes and brain structure due to the shift of fluids toward the head in microgravity. This pressure can lead to vision problems, including swelling of the optic nerve, folds in the retina, and blurry vision, a condition known as spaceflight-associated neuro-ocular syndrome. Some astronauts may experience permanent changes to their vision.
Changes in Cardiovascular System: Space travel can affect astronauts’ cardiovascular health, causing changes similar to those seen with aging. NASA’s studies have found that astronauts experience arterial stiffening and thickened artery walls while in space. Additionally, the heart changes shape and becomes more spherical in microgravity, reducing its efficiency and making it harder to pump blood.
Changes in Height: Astronauts can temporarily grow a couple of inches in space due to the elongation of the spine in the absence of gravity. However, this increase in height is short-lived. Once back on Earth, the spine compresses, often leading to back pain as the body readjusts to gravity.
Did You Know?
- Extended Time in Space: Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore spent a remarkable 286 days in space—278 days longer than originally planned. Over this time, they orbited Earth 4,576 times and traveled 121 million miles (195 million kilometers) by the time of splashdown. Williams has now logged a total of 608 days in space across three missions, while Wilmore has accumulated 464 days over his three flights.
- Spacewalk Achievements: Williams conducted two spacewalks during this mission, one of which was with Wilmore and another with Nick Hague. Sunita Williams now holds the record for the most spacewalking time by a female astronaut, with 62 hours and 6 minutes spent outside the space station. She ranks fourth on the all-time spacewalk duration list.
- Contributions to Science and Technology: Throughout their mission, Crew-9 made significant contributions to scientific research and technology development. They conducted over 150 unique experiments and demonstrations, contributing to more than 900 hours of research. Their work included studies on plant growth and quality, the potential of stem cell technology for treating blood diseases, autoimmune disorders, and cancers. They also tested new lighting systems to help astronauts maintain circadian rhythms, loaded the first wooden satellite for deployment, and collected samples from the space station’s exterior to study how microorganisms survive in space.
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