Spending nine consecutive months on a space station is as challenging as returning to a normal life after coming back to Earth. Indian-origin astronaut Sunita Williams and her crewmate Butch Wilmore, who landed in the sea off Tallahassee, Florida, at 3:27 AM IST on Wednesday, will undergo a 45-day rehabilitation process to help them transition back to normal life. Only after completing this 45-day health recovery program will the two astronauts return to their routine lives. However, their fellow astronauts Nick Hague and Alexander Grebionkin, who returned with them, may not require such an extended rehabilitation period.
All astronauts experience various physical challenges after spending a long time in a zero-gravity environment and returning to Earth. Typically, astronauts stay on space stations for six months. Since the human body is not designed to function in microgravity for extended periods, astronauts who spend six months or more in space suffer from various physical ailments. In a microgravity environment, bodily fluids tend to accumulate in the brain. The absence of gravity leads to a decrease in bone density, making bones fragile— a condition similar to osteoporosis. Muscles shrink, and the effects of “space sickness” persist even after returning to Earth. During their time in space, astronauts also experience changes in the size of their pupils and retina, leading to diminished eyesight. Because they do not walk, the soles of their feet become soft and sensitive, a condition known as “baby feet.”
Due to these physiological changes, extensive research was conducted in 2015-16 on astronaut Scott Kelly, who spent 340 days in space. His physical condition was compared to that of his twin brother, Mark Kelly, who remained on Earth. The study found permanent genetic mutations in Scott’s DNA and the emergence of new bacteria in his microbiome.
To mitigate these effects, as soon as Sunita Williams and her three fellow astronauts disembarked from the Crew Dragon spacecraft, they were immediately airlifted by helicopter for medical examinations and necessary healthcare. If they show no signs of illness, they will be taken to the Johnson Space Center in Houston within 48 hours. There, they will stay in the Crew Quarters, where they will undergo a rehabilitation process to help their bodies readjust to Earth’s environment. This phase is known as “rehab” or health recovery. Once they are deemed fully recovered, Sunita and her fellow astronauts will share their experiences with the media. However, since the mission of Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore was unique, they may face the media earlier than usual.
The entire process may take up to 45 days. Only after receiving clearance from the mission surgeon will they be allowed to reunite with their families.