The daunting effects of nine-month space missions on astronaut health reveal profound insights as shared by Dr. John Jaquish and seasoned astronauts.
Quick Takes
- Microgravity significantly weakens astronauts’ muscles and bones.
- Now, having returned to Earth, astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore require immediate medical evaluation and extensive rehabilitation.
- NASA closely monitors health changes and potential radiation exposure risks.
- Rehabilitation includes strength training, walking, and cancer screenings.
The Effects of Microgravity
Astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore are facing considerable challenges back on Earth following prolonged exposure to microgravity. Dealing with weakened muscles and bones, they will find basic actions, such as walking, especially difficult. Dr. John Jaquish, a biomedical engineer, explains that “Earth’s gravity helps maintain muscle and bone health, but in space, atrophy occurs.” Immediate medical evaluations and rehabilitation programs await these astronauts after their now successful landing.
These space missions result in astronauts losing 1-2 percent of bone density monthly, increasing their risk of fractures. Williams admitted, “I haven’t walked. I haven’t sat down. I haven’t laid down,” highlighting the challenges she will be facing readjusting to gravity after spending so long in space.
Health Risks During the Mission
Adjustments in blood flow circulation and increased radiation exposure add to the mission’s challenges, inevitably impacting cardiovascular health. Over their mission’s length, radiation exposure risks parallel nine years’ worth back on Earth, increasing chances of cancer and other severe health issues. Experts are vigilant, stressing the necessity of cancer screening upon return.
In a conversation with Daily Mail, Dr. Vinay Gupta, a pulmonologist and Air Force veteran, stated that the astronauts will undergo up to six weeks of intensive rehabilitation, including targeted exercises and a specialized nutrition plan to restore their strength.
Despite the stable environment of the International Space Station, the prolonged mission taxed their health. The astronauts’ time in space was longer than planned due to Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft technical issues. NASA’s decision to return them using a different craft underscores the mission’s complexity and unexpected challenges.
Rehabilitation and Recovery
Reintegration to Earth’s gravity involves rigorous rehabilitation, targeting strength, flexibility, proprioceptive exercises, and cardiovascular reconditioning. Astronauts engage in a 45-day program encompassing three focal phases. Dr. Jaquish noted, “The human body needs the Earth’s gravitational pull, and in an absence of that, a lot of things are not functioning correctly.”
Recovery to pre-flight conditions can span months to years, with some astronauts never fully regaining former performance levels. NASA remains vigilant, conducting ongoing research to mitigate such risks for future long-duration missions. The health challenges experienced by these astronauts underline the importance of robust rehabilitation strategies to ensure better recovery post-missions.
