NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore face unexpected challenges as their return from space is delayed, with astronaut Tim Peake highlighting hidden health risks of extended missions
British astronaut Tim Peake has revealed the hidden health risks that astronauts face after extended stays in space, offering a glimpse of the challenges that could await NASA’s stranded crew members upon their return to Earth.
In June 2024, Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore geared up for what they thought would be an short eight-day stint in space. However, the two NASA astronauts have now been left stranded aboard the International Space Station (ISS) in orbit for an astonishing nine months.
The pair launched in last summer aboard Boeing’s Starliner capsule, however, technical issues with the capsule delayed their return. NASA, SpaceX, and even former President Donald Trump have all been involved in discussions to bring the astronauts back.
Now a rescue mission has finally ensued. However, a hydraulic issue with the spacecraft has forced another delay, with engineers working around the clock to ensure everything is in working order before they attempt another launch window.
While technical issues are concerning, the long-term impact of extended space missions on astronauts’ health has also raised significant concerns. British astronaut Tim Peake has explained that astronauts face more than just the challenges of weightlessness; they can encounter several hidden health risks with lasting effects on their well-being.
Tim was the first British ESA astronaut to visit the International Space Station, launching on a Soyuz rocket on 15 December 2015. “We’re still learning about the long-term effects of spaceflight,” Peake shared in an interview with LadBible. He added: “We do an hour and a half/two hours of fitness to keep fit enough to return to Earth.”
Astronauts’ bodies are subjected to the physical toll of weightlessness. Over time in space, muscle mass deteriorates and bones become weaker, as the body adapts to life without gravity. While astronauts like Williams and Wilmore have undergone intense fitness routines to counteract these effects, it’s clear that returning to Earth will be a difficult adjustment.
Peake explained that being in space for extended periods can age the skin, affect eyesight, and increase the risk of blood clots. He said: “These are relatively new things that we’ve found out.”
However, the most worrying side effects he mentions “is the radiation dose, as that’s hard to quantify what the effects will be,” adding “we get the equivalent of eight chest x-rays a day on board the space station.”
Once Williams and Wilmore return to Earth, the process won’t be as simple as just stepping off the spacecraft. The adjustment to gravity will take time, and the long-term effects of their extended stay in space has the potential to leave a lasting mark on their health.
