• 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 likely to experience severe impacts on their bodies when they finally return to Earth after 252 days stranded

Home> Science> Space

Published 11:27 13 Feb 2025 GMT

NASA astronauts likely to experience severe impacts on their bodies when they finally return to Earth after 252 days stranded

Two astronauts have been stuck in space since June 2024

Rikki Loftus

Rikki Loftus

The NASA astronauts who are stuck in space are likely to experience severe impacts on their bodies when they finally return to Earth.

Sunita ‘Suni’ Williams and Barry ‘Butch’ Wilmore have been stranded in space since June 2024 and it is expected to have taken a toll on their bodies.

What was meant to be an eight day mission has lasted months after they ran into some serious issues with their spacecraft Boeing Starliner spacecraft’s propulsion system.

Two NASA astronauts have been stuck in space since June 2024 (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Two NASA astronauts have been stuck in space since June 2024 (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Advert

Five of the spacecraft’s maneuvering thrusters had reportedly stalled, with five helium leaks and a faulty propellant valve.

Boeing had insisted that the spacecraft was safe, allowing thruster tests that had taken place both in space and on the ground.

However, NASA deemed it too unsafe for the pair to return to Earth and instead, the spacecraft returned empty.

Williams and Wilmore have been patiently waiting in orbit ever since and, after 252 days stuck on the International Space Station, it is hoped that the pair will finally make their return in March.

Advert

This is when they are due to be picked up by a SpaceX spacecraft carrying Crew-9.

But spending that much time in space will come with some physical side effects.

In fact, one astronaut who recently returned to Earth had to be hospitalized overnight, although the reason hasn’t been made public.

Astronauts usually need to be helped out of the spacecraft (HUM Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
Astronauts usually need to be helped out of the spacecraft (HUM Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

What are the physical effects of time in space?

One thing that can be impacted by spending time in space is your bones. When you’re not standing on your feet, carrying your body around, the bones in your feet stop producing healthy new tissue and start to weaken.

Advert

This has the potential to spark space-related osteoporosis.

Muscle mass is another body part that starts to break down in space, as well as effects on the cardiovascular system.

The heart doesn’t have to work as hard to pump blood around the body in space, which ends up weakening the heart muscle.

How can astronauts combat the effects of space?

Luckily, there are things that astronauts can do while in space to slow down the changes to their body.

Advert

People living on the ISS follow a strict routine that includes two hours of exercise a day.

There are specialized weightlifting machines that pull downwards to create resistance.

There are also treadmills that the astronauts can strap themselves into.

In fact, during a previous space mission, Williams even completed the Boston Marathon on one of them.

Featured Image Credit: Joe Raedle/Getty Images
Space
Nasa
Health
Science

Advert

Advert

Advert

  • How to see the International Space Station from Earth as 'stranded' NASA astronauts are finally set to return
  • NASA finally confirms date stranded astronauts will return to Earth after months stuck on ISS
  • Five health challenges astronauts stranded in space for 286 days are likely to face now they're back on Earth
  • NASA astronauts stranded in space for nine months finally emerge after months of intense therapy

Choose your content:

a day ago
2 days ago
3 days ago
  • Bill Turnbull/NY Daily News Archive via Getty ImagesBill Turnbull/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images
    a day ago

    Experts reveal heartbreaking reason thousands of victims of 9/11 have still not been identified

    Almost half of the remains are still not identified to this day

    Science
  • NASA video / YouTubeNASA video / YouTube
    2 days ago

    NASA confirms Mars rover has discovered the strongest evidence of 'ancient life' yet

    Could this be aliens?

    Science
  • leoimage / Gettyleoimage / Getty
    3 days ago

    NASA is taking submissions to fly your name around the Moon

    Does that technically make us all astronauts?

    Science
  • Andrew Harnik / Staff via GettyAndrew Harnik / Staff via Getty
    3 days ago

    RFK Jr. axes scientists' promising research into universal cancer vaccine

    The mRNA tech would've been a huge breakthrough for millions of patients

    Science