NASA astronauts who were ‘stranded’ may face very bizarre health issues now they’re back on Earth and it doesn’t sound pleasant
The NASA astronauts who were stuck in space for nine months may face some very bizarre health issues now they're back on earth, and it doesn’t sound pleasant.
Sunita 'Suni' Williams and Barry 'Butch' Wilmore docked their Boeing Starliner onto the International Space Station (ISS) back in June for what was supposed to be an eight-day mission, unaware that they'd be trapped in the ship for a further nine months following a bout of technical faults.
They ended up spending a staggering 286 days in space - which is a pretty sizeable 278 days longer than anticipated when they launched - and finally made it home yesterday (18 March).
But what may they experience now that they've finally returned to Earth after all this time?
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Shorter height on Earth
Arguably one of the most immediately noticeable things the astronauts will notice about their bodies once returning to Earth is that they will have shrunk down in height.
Former NASA astronaut, Peggy Whitson told Today that astronauts actually grow in space because the spinal column expands out without gravity.
However, once back on Earth, the spinal disks compress again - something which can also lead to 'dramatic' back pain.
'Baby feet'
Now, as we know, our tootsies are designed to bear the body’s weight on Earth, hence why the skin on the soles of our feet is tough so we can comfortably walk around.
But, since astronauts bounce and float in space, the feet don’t support the body as much and the soles become extremely delicate.
Former NASA astronaut Leroy Chiao told NewsNation: "You basically lose the thick part of the skin on your feet that develops, and you kind of have baby feet when you come back."
Apparently, any callouses also simply 'fall off' making for perfectly soft and pampered little piggies.
Former NASA astronaut Frank Rubio, who spent a record 371 days on the ISS, added that he was surprised by the pressure and sensitivity that came with standing and walking on Earth again.
"The bottoms of my feet actually hurt quite a bit," he told NPR. "You really can't train that."
Bone density loss
The lack of gravity in space causes major, and irreparable, bone density loss.
It also causes muscles in your arms and legs to waste away.
Muscles in your heart are also impacted by the process, as the vital organ doesn’t have to pump blood against gravity meaning it has much less work to do.
Blood flow
Alongside this, blood volume shrinks and the way your blood flows changes too as it slows in some areas, which can lead to clots.
'Waterlogged' brain
Now, this is a pretty graphic image to think about, but fluids don’t come down or drain as easily in space with Alan Duffy, an astrophysicist at Swinburne University explaining to the Guardian: "Fluids build up in their heads, to they feel like they have a constant cold. Your sense of smell is also diminished, which is probably a good thing, by the way, because it reeks up there."
Once back on Earth, you'll apparently also struggle to walk, get dizzy easily, and have bad eyesight.
"The brain becomes waterlogged," adds Meng Law, professor and director of radiology, neuroscience at Monash University.
Swollen eyeballs
Talking of eyes, the build up of fluid in your head will also change the shape of your eyeballs, as well as weaken your vision, Duffy says.
'Baby-like' skin sensitivity
Your skin is also massively impacted too.
Due to gravity, astronauts' clothing floats off their skin leading to it developing an 'almost baby-like sensitivity', Duffy says, leading to your clothes feeling 'like sandpaper' back on Earth.
Increased risk of cancer
Extended stays in space results in an increased exposure to radiation, which heightens the risk of cancers.
Back on Earth, the atmosphere and magnetic field helps shield us from high levels of radiation but, in space, astronauts unfortunately don’t have that same protection.
"Not only will astronauts be exposed to more radiation in space than on Earth," NASA explains, "but the radiation they are exposed to could pose increased risks."
Mental health
And, lastly, returning back to Earth after an extended period of time in space can seriously impact your mental health.
Duffy explains: "For anyone who’s been stranded in the wrong airport for a day or two, wanting to get home - imagine you’ve been able to see home that entire time.
"These people are truly astonishing in terms of their resilience."
Brad Tucker, an astrophysicist at Australian National University, continued to note the psychological impacts of returning home noting that anxiety and depression are both 'common'.
The astronauts may also experience a something known as 'the overview effect' which is when people in space who can see the curvature of Earth from above to note a remarkable connection to humanity and, alongside it, an immediate sense of its fragility.
"Some people call it a feeling of inspiration. Some people call it feelings of inadequacy in terms of just how big the world is," Tucker explained, adding that when the astronauts finally come back down to Earth 'they have to make breakfast and they have to drive to work'.
"It is a huge transition from living in a very inspiring environment," he added.
Rhiannon Ingle