NASA Astronaut Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore have successfully undocked from the International Space Station (ISS) and are on their way back home. They have been at the ISS for over nine months and are now preparing for splashdown off the coast of Florida.
When and Where to Watch Sunita Williams' Journey Back
NASA has begun live broadcasting Crew-9’s return from the ISS, starting with the closing of the Dragon spacecraft hatch. You can also follow the live coverage on Financial Express for updates on the astronauts’ journey.
Sunita Williams Live:
What Health Changes Can Astronauts Expect?
Experts warn that spending a long time in microgravity can cause various health issues for astronauts when they return to Earth's gravity. NASA highlighted these concerns in a 2021 blog, pointing out that radiation exposure in space poses long-term health risks.
"Astronauts encounter higher radiation levels in space compared to Earth, which could increase risks over time," NASA stated.
Astronauts often deal with “space sickness,” which includes symptoms such as headaches, nausea, and vomiting. The lack of gravity also causes bodily fluids to shift upward, leading to facial swelling. Adjusting to Earth's gravity can be challenging, and some astronauts experience “gravity sickness,” similar to space sickness.
NASA noted that moving between different gravitational fields can affect balance, spatial awareness, and coordination, with some crew members experiencing motion sickness.
Another common issue is post-flight orthostatic intolerance, where astronauts find it hard to regulate blood pressure while standing, leading to dizziness or fainting.
NASA has found that astronauts lose between 1% to 1.5% of bone mineral density each month in microgravity. While rehabilitation can help recover some of this loss, full recovery is not guaranteed. However, NASA assures that the risk of fractures does not significantly increase.
Muscle loss is also a significant concern. In the absence of gravity, astronauts lose muscle mass quickly.
NASA stresses the importance of a proper diet and regular exercise to reduce these effects and maintain health during missions.
The Dragon spacecraft has now separated from the ISS, with the hatch closing at 8:15 AM today. It is expected to touch down on Earth at 3:27 AM Wednesday. NASA has adjusted the return date to ensure astronauts have enough time for a smooth transition and to account for potential adverse weather later in the week.
Sunita Williams Live: Wilmore Thanks Trump and Musk, Dismisses Politics in NASA Mission Extension
Butch
Wilmore expressed gratitude towards President Trump and Elon Musk during a news conference two weeks ago, saying, "We appreciate them for all they do for us, human spaceflight, and our nation.
Wilmore's response to a question about whether politics influenced NASA's decision to extend their mission: "From my standpoint, politics has not played into this at all.
Sunita Williams Live:
NASA Reveals Expected Flight Path
NASA has shared a map detailing the expected flight path of the SpaceX Crew Dragon as it approaches a splashdown near Tallahassee, Florida, in under six hours. Spotting the capsule may be difficult in daylight, unlike the striking sight of nighttime splashdowns when it streaks across the sky like a shooting star.
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