by Yong Soo Heong
Imagine being told that you are going somewhere for an eight-day trip but later you’re told that you can’t come back until nine months later! And you must stay in the International Space Station (ISS) at that.
That was what American astronauts Barry “Butch” Wilmore and Sunita Lyn “Suni” Williams had to endure in a confined space and operating at zero gravity for some three-quarters of a year.
Research shows that without gravity, muscles tend to weaken, and bones lose their density. To mitigate these effects, astronauts must exercise for about two hours daily in the ISS.
Another challenge is movement as it is different in microgravity. Small forces can send astronauts floating away, so they must learn to use handrails and foot restraints effectively.
Performing everyday activities like eating, drinking, and using tools may become quite complicated due to the lack of gravity. To assist the astronauts, specialised equipment, like magnetic trays or tapes, is often used to keep items in place.
More pressing are mental health issues as spending long periods in confined quarters with limited contact with loved ones can be mentally demanding. In this regard, teamwork and communication are crucial to maintaining morale.
Another serious health concern is fluids in the body tend to shift upward, leading to “puffy face syndrome” and increased intracranial pressure. This can sometimes affect vision, known as Spaceflight-Associated Neuro-ocular Syndrome (SANS).
As rest is a crucial part of daily life, astronauts in space have to secure themselves in sleeping bags to avoid floating around, and the 90-minute day/night cycle as the ISS orbits Earth can disrupt sleep patterns.
Thank God the earthlings will return home to Planet Earth on Wednesday, March 19!
They will come back with two other astronauts in a Space X spacecraft that had earlier sent four replacement astronauts to the ISS.
Their prolonged stay in space since June 2024 occurred accidentally when the Boeing Starliner spacecraft that brought them to the ISS was deemed by the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to be unsuitable to bring them back after eight days.
The issues included multiple helium propulsion system leaks and thrust problems, which made it unsafe for them to return to Earth as scheduled. These complications required extensive testing and troubleshooting, delaying their return by several months.
In September there was a glimmer of hope but the SpaceX spacecraft with a crew of two and two empty seats reserved for the trip back had to undergo extensive battery repairs.
Despite the unexpected extension, both “Suni” and “Butch” maintained a positive outlook and continued their work on the ISS, contributing to research and maintenance tasks. Their resilience and adaptability in the face of these challenges have been described truly commendable.
“Suni” is an accomplished NASA astronaut, retired U.S. Navy Captain, and a trailblazer in space exploration. Born on Sept 19, 1965, in Euclid, Ohio, she is of Indian and Slovenian descent.
She has participated in multiple spaceflights, including two expeditions to the ISS. Altogether she has spent over 605 days in space, making her one of the most experienced astronauts.
“Suni” also holds the record for the most spacewalks by a woman, with spacewalks totalling over 62 hours.
Before joining NASA, she served as a Navy test pilot, logging over 3,000 flight hours in more than 30 different aircraft. Suni is celebrated for her contributions to science, her leadership, and her dedication to advancing human spaceflight.
“Butch” is an accomplished NASA astronaut and retired U.S. Navy captain. Born on Dec 29, 1962, in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, he has had a distinguished career in both military aviation and space exploration. Before joining NASA, he served as a Navy test pilot, accumulating over 8,000 flight hours and 663 carrier landings in tactical jet aircraft.
Selected as a NASA astronaut in 2000, “Butch” has flown multiple space missions. His first was aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis for STS-129 in 2009, followed by a long-duration mission to the ISS as part of two expeditions. Known for his resilience, professionalism, and contributions to advancing human spaceflight, “Butch” has logged over 462 days in space and performed several spacewalks.
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