Spending extended time in space is a remarkable experience, but it also comes with significant challenges. One NASA astronaut, who has now been in orbit for over 230 days, has shared surprising struggles that highlight the physical toll of life without gravity.
Sunita “Suni” Williams and Barry “Butch” Wilmore were part of Boeing Starliner’s first crewed mission in June 2024. However, due to technical issues, their spacecraft had to return to Earth without them, leaving them stranded aboard the International Space Station much longer than planned.
Despite the company of fellow astronauts, Williams and Wilmore never expected their mission to last this long. Now, after 243 days, Williams has spoken about the unexpected effects of prolonged space travel. Meanwhile, figures like Donald Trump and Elon Musk have discussed ways to bring them back, though the solution isn’t simple.
Concerns have been raised over Williams’ health, especially after reports of her noticeable weight loss. Speaking to students at Needham High School, she admitted, “I’ve been here so long that I’m trying to remember what walking even feels like. I haven’t walked, I haven’t sat down—it’s a strange experience.”
Prolonged exposure to microgravity weakens muscles and leads to bone density loss, with astronauts losing about one percent per month unless proper precautions are taken. Although NASA routinely monitors their health, their return, initially scheduled for February, has now been delayed until December 2024.
Despite their extended stay, they won’t be breaking records. Russian cosmonaut Oleg Kononenko still holds the record with a total of 878 days in space. However, Williams and Wilmore have already faced unexpected experiences, such as celebrating Thanksgiving in orbit.
While Trump and Musk have expressed urgency in bringing them back, NASA insists that their return is being handled carefully. Trump recently called on Musk’s SpaceX to retrieve the astronauts, stating, “Elon is on his way. I hope they’ll be safe.” However, NASA has reassured that the return is being planned strategically, explaining, “After careful review, Crew-10 is set to launch in late March, ensuring mission success for 2025.”
