By Thanks to Elon Musk, NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams have returned to Earth after an unexpected nine-month stay aboard the International Space Station (ISS), but now that their feet are back on solid ground, medical experts are raising concerns about the long-term effects of their prolonged time in space.
Astronauts who were stuck in space for nine months splashing down in the Gulf of America and immediately being surrounded by a pack of dolphins is one of the coolest things I’ve ever seen.
pic.twitter.com/XqKauJtFzh— Greg Price (@greg_price11) March 18, 2025
Originally scheduled for a much shorter mission, the two astronauts were forced to remain in orbit due to technical issues with Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft. Upon landing, both required assistance onto stretchers, a standard procedure for astronauts after extended exposure to microgravity. However, noticeable physical changes—including weight loss, muscle atrophy, and fluid redistribution—have heightened concerns about potential lasting health consequences.
JUST IN: Suni Williams is seen being helped up after exiting the SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule.
This is her first time feeling gravity on Earth in *9 months.*
That must be an insane feeling.pic.twitter.com/eqETiEyMUN
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) March 18, 2025
Extended time in space weakens muscles and bones, even with a rigorous daily exercise regimen, explained The Daily Mail. Microgravity causes fluid to shift upward, leading to swelling in the face and thinning of the legs, sometimes referred to as “chicken legs” and “baby feet.” Despite efforts to counteract these effects, astronauts inevitably experience some degree of strength and bone density loss, which increases the risk of fractures over time.
Vision impairment is another well-documented issue, with nearly 70% of astronauts experiencing some degree of vision loss due to Spaceflight Associated Neuro-Ocular Syndrome (SANS). This condition results from fluid buildup in the skull, which increases pressure on the optic nerve and can lead to blurred or distorted vision. While many astronauts recover upon returning to Earth, longer missions raise concerns about permanent changes.
Spaceflight also affects cognitive function. Disrupted sleep cycles, stress, and microgravity-induced changes in brain pressure have been linked to slower processing speeds, weakened short-term memory, and occasional decision-making difficulties. Researchers are still studying whether these effects persist after astronauts return to Earth.
Radiation exposure poses an additional risk. Unlike on Earth, where the atmosphere provides natural protection, astronauts on the ISS are exposed to higher levels of ionizing radiation, which has been linked to an increased risk of cancer. Longer missions, such as Wilmore and Williams’ extended stay, may further elevate these risks.
Now back at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, the astronauts will undergo extensive medical evaluations and rehabilitation. Recovery from long-duration spaceflight can take months, requiring guided exercise, nutritional support, and physical therapy to restore muscle function and bone density. Their experience will provide valuable data as NASA continues studying the effects of space travel, particularly in preparation for deep-space missions, including potential crewed journeys to Mars.
President Trump announced that Williams and Wilmore will be visiting the Oval Office when they “get better.”
“Number one, they have to get better,” Trump told Fox News anchor Laura Ingraham in an interview taped shortly before the astronauts’ successful splash-down in the Gulf of America Tuesday evening.
“You know, when you’re up there and you have no pull in your muscle, you have no gravity, you can lift 1,000 pounds like this,” Trump said.
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