Blurred vision, trembling steps, muscle loss, etc.: This is what happens to the human body after returning from deep space
Astronauts come home
Williams and Wilmore were accompanied by astronaut Nick Hague and Russian astronaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, who arrived at the International Space Station (ISS) in December for a rescue mission that brought them back. NASA confirmed that the crew 9 team successfully removed control from the International Space Station as planned. “Suni and Butch successfully embarked on their belated journey home,” the agency said.
The four astronauts cancelled at 1:05 a.m. ET (10:35 a.m. IST) and started a 17-hour return to Earth. Before leaving, they handed over the mission responsibility to Crew-10. Their spacecraft is expected to splash into the Gulf of Mexico at 5:57 pm ET (3:27 AM Wednesday), with the final landing point determined by local weather conditions.
Health risks in the space
The focus now will be on scientific discoveries during their physical recovery and expansion. Astronauts’ bodies have undergone major changes due to the lack of gravity in space. Some of the major health issues include:
Bone and muscle loss: A lack of gravity can cause muscles to worsen and weaken bones. Astronauts use special exercise machines on the International Space Station to reduce these effects. Rihana Bokhari, assistant professor at Baylor College Space Medicine Center, told AFP that two hours of exercise daily help keep fit. “We have to show that the best result we’re very effective is that when the astronauts return to the ground, we didn’t really have a fracture problem, although bone loss can still be detected in the scan,” she said.
Balance problem: Astronauts often struggle with balance upon returning to Earth. Emmanuel Urquieta, vice president of aerospace medicine at the University of Florida, told AFP that astronauts must “train their ears again” after landing because microgravity affects their inner ear balance system. “This happens to every astronaut, even those who have only been in space for a few days,” he said.Fluid transfer and vision problems: In space, body fluids move toward the head, increasing the blood’s calcium levels and increasing the risk of kidney stones. This can also cause higher pressure inside the skull, which may change the shape of the eyeball. This condition is known as space flight-related neuro-eye syndrome (SAN), which can lead to mild to moderate visual impairment. Scientists are still investigating whether elevated carbon dioxide levels may also be a factor.
ISS radiation exposure
As the station moves through the Van Allen radiation belt, the radiation levels within the IS are higher than those on Earth. Although Earth’s magnetic field provides some protection, astronauts are exposed to cosmic radiation, which increases the risk of long-term health effects.
Astrophysicist Siegfried Eggl pointed out that due to the higher emissivity, missions on Mars and the moon will pose greater risks. NASA aims to increase lifelong cancer risk by astronauts within 3%. The agency has a 45-day rehabilitation program that helps astronauts recover after returning to Earth. However, full recovery can take longer, and some astronauts have lasting effects on bone density and cardiovascular health for months or even years.
Input from AFP
