Sunita Williams Face New Challenge: Readjusting to Gravity
Astronauts Sunita Williams & Butch Wilmore return to Earth on March 19. Discover the physical challenges they’ll face readjusting to gravity.
Photo Credit: NASA
Indian-origin astronaut Sunita Williams and her colleague Butch Wilmore are preparing for a major challenge as they return to Earth on March 19 – readjusting to gravity. After months aboard the International Space Station (ISS), simple movements like lifting a pencil will feel strenuous due to prolonged weightlessness.
To minimize muscle atrophy and maintain cardiovascular health, Williams and Wilmore have been following a strict exercise regimen in space. However, they will still face balance and coordination difficulties upon landing. A rehabilitation program awaits them to regain strength.
One of the biggest physiological changes astronauts experience is fluid redistribution. In space, fluids shift upwards, causing “puffy faces” and thinner limbs. Upon re-entry, fluids return to the lower extremities, leading to discomfort, dizziness, and swelling.
Despite speculation surrounding their return, with claims suggesting technical issues with the Boeing Starliner spacecraft, Wilmore dismissed these rumors, stating, “That’s been the rhetoric… but that is not what our human spaceflight program is about.” Williams reaffirmed their preparedness, saying, “We knew this was a test flight.”
As they return from their historic mission, Williams and Wilmore are set to share valuable insights and begin their rehabilitation journey.
Anamika Chakravorty, Staff Reporter
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