• News
    • Tech News
    • AI
  • Gadgets
    • Apple
    • iPhone
  • Gaming
    • Playstation
    • Xbox
  • Science
    • News
    • Space
  • Streaming
    • Netflix
  • Vehicles
    • Car News
  • Social Media
    • WhatsApp
    • YouTube
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
TikTok
Snapchat
WhatsApp
Submit Your Content
NASA astronauts could return with life-long health condition after exceeding ‘healthy’ limit of time spent in zero gravity

Home> News

Published 10:47 19 Mar 2025 GMT

NASA astronauts could return with life-long health condition after exceeding ‘healthy’ limit of time spent in zero gravity

The pair are at an increased risk of long-term health conditions

Rebekah Jordan

Rebekah Jordan

Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore are back on Earth, but their 286 days in space may have taken a serious toll on their health.

The two NASA astronauts landed off the Florida coast last night (18 March) and were greeted by the rescue squad - as well as some curious dolphins.

They were carried out on stretchers and now face a long recovery process as they readjust to life under Earth’s gravity.

Returning astronauts tend to undergo medical evaluations to help them regain balance and muscle strength for everyday tasks like walking and standing upright.

Advert

However, Williams and Wilmore’s worrying health was first noticed when photos of their noticeably 'gaunt' appearance were released.

NASA quickly dismissed claims and reassured everyone that they were fine in the International Space Station (ISS). But there could be further health risks down the line.

Bloomberg / Contributor / Getty
Bloomberg / Contributor / Getty

Speaking to Fox News, SpaceX founder Elon Musk spoke about the potential health issues the pair could face after exceeding what’s considered the 'safe' amount of time in space.

Advert

The tech billionaire explained that the 'normal amount of time that astronauts are supposed to be in zero-G [gravity] is three months' with the most being 'six months.'

He said: "They were up there for almost 10 months, so that's really gone beyond what is healthy or good."

Musk added that things could have gotten a 'lot worse' if they had stayed up there for more than a year.

But, considering they were up there for almost 10 months, they will likely need support and monitoring as they readjust to life with gravity.

Advert

According to NASA, astronauts can face different health problems - from weaker bones and muscles to vision issues and 'baby feet' - as their bodies adjust back to the planet’s gravity.

Suni and Butch have a long road of recovery ahead / NASA / Handout / Getty
Suni and Butch have a long road of recovery ahead / NASA / Handout / Getty

The news reporter also discussed the risks of osteoporosis as the astronauts' bones become 'about 1% less dense for every month that they are in space.' Not to mention that astronauts also get taller in space due to their 'spinal column expanding' but once they return to Earth, it contracts again which can lead to back issues.

Additionally, due to long-term radiation exposure, astronauts can be at a heightened risk of radiation sickness, cancer, central nervous system effects and degenerative diseases, NASA described.

Advert

"In low earth orbit where the ISS is, astronauts are at least partially protected by the magnetosphere that protects Earth from the radiation exposure of deep space," noted Dr. Rihana Bokhari, acting chief scientific officer at Baylor College of Medicine's Translational Research Institute for Space Health.

Featured Image Credit: NASA / Handout / Getty
Space
Health
Science
Nasa
Elon Musk
SpaceX

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

8 hours ago
10 hours ago
12 hours ago
  • 8 hours ago

    Sam Altman could be hitting Google with the biggest threat it's faced in a decade

    OpenAI has revealed a new major project

    News
  • 10 hours ago

    Users predict an 'apocalypse for websites' amid fears Google is about to 'destroy the web'

    The internet as we know it could be gone soon

    News
  • 10 hours ago

    McDonald's AI hiring bot exposes data of 64,000,000 applicants after hackers guess 'stupid' password

    The fast food giant isn't lovin' it

    News
  • 12 hours ago

    ChatGPT CEO Sam Altman shares eerie reality of what actually happens when you search with AI

    Some people are making sure they are polite to their AI chatbot

    News
  • NASA issue major update on when stranded astronauts will return after months of health concerns
  • NASA confirms updated return date for 'stranded' astronauts after SpaceX crew docks at ISS
  • Brutal health tests 'stranded' NASA astronauts go through in 45-day rehab following nine months in space
  • ‘Alien’ spotted onboard ISS as SpaceX crew docks to rescue NASA astronauts