Sunita Williams ‘Puffy Face, Weak Legs’: Here’s Why Her Body Needs 45 Days To Recover

After spending an unexpected nine months aboard the International Space Station (ISS), Crew-9 astronauts, including Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, have returned to Earth, only to face a series of physiological challenges caused by prolonged exposure to microgravity. To counter these effects, they will now undergo an intensive 45-day rehabilitation program to help their bodies readjust to Earth’s gravity.

Impact of Space on the Human Body

Extended stays in space can lead to significant changes in the human body. Astronauts returning from such missions often experience puffy heads, weakened muscles, reduced bone density, and even a slight increase in height due to the absence of gravity. Other complications include changes in aerobic capacity, stamina, balance, and neurovestibular functions, which can affect coordination and movement.

The Astronaut Strength, Conditioning, and Rehabilitation (ASCR) team has designed a specialized reconditioning program to address these issues. The rehabilitation plan includes flexibility exercises, muscle strengthening, cardiovascular conditioning, and functional development tailored to each astronaut’s specific needs.

Three-Phase Rehabilitation Plan

The post-flight reconditioning begins immediately upon landing, with daily two-hour sessions scheduled for 45 days.

1. Phase 1 (Landing Day Onward): Focuses on mobility, flexibility, and muscle reactivation.
2. Phase 2: Introduces balance training and cardiovascular exercises to rebuild endurance.
3. Phase 3 (Longest Phase): Prioritizes functional recovery, ensuring astronauts regain full strength and agility for their post-mission duties.

Each program is personalized based on the astronaut’s test results, medical condition, and mission responsibilities. Studies have shown that astronauts often not only regain their pre-flight physical state but sometimes even improve upon it.

Unexpected Prolonged Stay in Space

Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore were initially sent to the ISS on Boeing’s Starliner for an eight-day mission. However, due to technical failures in the spacecraft’s propulsion system, they remained on the space station for an extended period. Their prolonged stay became a global topic of discussion, raising concerns over their health and even sparking political debates.

Safe Return and Recovery Process

Following the arrival of Crew-10 at the ISS, Sunita Williams, Wilmore, NASA’s Nick Hague, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov prepared for their long-awaited return. After a 17-hour journey, their SpaceX Dragon capsule successfully splashed down off the Florida coast at 3:27 AM IST. Recovery teams immediately retrieved the capsule, and the astronauts were transported for medical evaluations before beginning their rehabilitation.

As they embark on their recovery journey, the world watches closely, awaiting their full return to health and normalcy after their extraordinary space mission.