Despite concerns surrounding his health, one 70-year-old NASA astronaut has given everyone a heartwarming sign after returning from a lengthy stay on the International Space Station.
While all the attention has been upon formerly 'stranded' NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams following their 285-day-long stay upon the International Space Station (ISS), the return of another lengthy resident has brought on further concern.
Alongside the unexpected lengthy of their mission, one of the major concerns surrounding Wilmore and Williams' time spent in space was the effects it would have on their health, as doctors have warned that extended expose to low gravity environments can prove detrimental.
Your muscles have to work far less due to the lack of gravity, and even with rigorous daily exercise its an inevitability that you'll lose muscle mass and potentially even suffer a loss of bone density.
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Keen eyes spotted a concerning detail in photos of Suni Williams after she had landed that paired with ongoing worries surrounding her health, but thankfully all four members of the SpaceX Crew-9 mission were back on their feet in no time.
However, those worries have come back around again for NASA veteran Don Pettit, as the 70-year-old's return from a 220 day stay upon the ISS has once again raised concerns surrounding his health, as reported by the Independent.
Astronomer Jonathan McDowell pointed out on X that Pettit "appeared less than fully well on extraction from the capsule," adding that it was "hopefully nothing serious" although you can never be too careful when it comes to space.
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Thankfully Pettit, who landed back on Earth on his 70th birthday, gave everyone a heartwarming gesture to let people know he was OK.
Facing cameras upon his exit from the Soyuz MS-26 spacecraft that returned him back home, Pettit lifted a hopeful thumbs up, pairing the positive gesture with a smile that's hard to miss too.
Pettit has become one of the space community's favorite astronauts through his photographic aptitude, as he has regularly posted stunning photos and videos from the International Space Station for all to see.
Jaw-dropping footage of lightning strikes and aurora passes are just a handful of the beautiful footage he's managed to capture while upon the ISS, and it'll certainly be missed now that he's back home, although like all photos of space, the stars are mysteriously missing.
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Hopefully we'll hear positive news from NASA regarding Pettit's health in the coming days and weeks, but like all astronauts returning from space he's likely headed to a medical rehabilitation center where tests will be conducted and experts will bring him back to full strength.