NASA astronaut Sunita Williams faces health challenges after a six-month mission on the International Space Station (ISS), originally planned for eight days, due to a Starliner spacecraft malfunction. Alongside fellow astronaut Barry Wilmore, Williams’s health has become a growing concern as recent photos reveal a visibly leaner appearance, fueling worries about potential nutritional deficiencies, which are common in extended space missions.
Experts, like Seattle-based pulmonologist Dr. Vinay Gupta, expressed alarm, noting that her sunken cheeks and apparent weight loss suggest a calorie deficit. Dr. Gupta observed, “She appears to be experiencing the natural stresses of extended high-altitude conditions, even in a pressurized cabin.”
It looks like those two American astronauts stuck in the ISS are not in good health, especially Suni Williams.🤔 pic.twitter.com/0bO64DUXeu
— ShanghaiPanda (@thinking_panda) November 1, 2024
Despite visible signs of strain, Sunita Williams was photographed enjoying pizza and snacks, though experts suspect her energy expenditure in the harsh space environment might exceed her calorie intake.
In space, astronauts typically exercise for 2.5 hours daily to prevent muscle and bone loss, a regimen essential to counteract the cold and weightless conditions of the ISS. Although Williams’s current condition doesn’t indicate immediate danger, Dr. Gupta questions whether her current weight is sustainable over the coming months as she awaits a
