NASA Astronaut Sunita Williams’ Health Sparks Concern
Recent photos of NASA astronaut Sunita Williams, who has been stranded on the International Space Station (ISS) for over six months, have raised concerns about her health, according to Dr. Vinay Gupta, a veteran pulmonologist.
Williams, along with fellow astronaut Barry Wilmore, docked on the ISS in June on a mission that was supposed to last for eight days but has now extended to over 150 days due to Boeing’s faulty Starliner spacecraft.
Despite maintaining a positive front in their public comments, Williams’ recent appearance has raised alarm bells. Dr. Gupta noted that she appeared “gaunt,” with sunken cheeks, which he believes could be an indication of significant weight loss due to the high altitude conditions and intense physical demands of life in space.
“Even in a pressurized cabin, the stress of living at a high altitude for extended periods can lead to weight loss,” Gupta explained. “The body burns more calories as it adjusts to the changes in gravity and temperature.
The extended stay in space has also taken a toll on Williams’ physical health. The astronauts on the ISS have to exercise for about 2.5 hours a day to prevent muscle and bone loss, which burns additional calories, compounding the issue of weight loss.
Gupta’s concerns have been further intensified by the recent hospitalization of an entire NASA crew after their return from a 200-day mission on the ISS. While the reason for their hospitalization has not been made public, the incident has amplified worries about the long-term health effects of extended stays in space.
With the prospect of an uncertain return date for Williams and Wilmore, there are mounting questions about the physical and mental toll of their prolonged stay on the ISS. The added strain of living in space and coping with unforeseen circumstances may be pushing their bodies and minds to the limit.
Space agencies like NASA are under increasing pressure to address these challenges as they prepare for more ambitious missions, including a potential journey to Mars. If astronauts are to make the long journey to the red planet, it is crucial that we understand and mitigate the health risks of prolonged spaceflight.
The prospect of space travel beyond Earth’s orbit also raises ethical questions about the dangers and potential sacrifices that astronauts may have to face in the pursuit of exploration and discovery.
The stranded astronauts, Williams and Wilmore, serve as a reminder of the risks and uncertainties that come with space travel, and the immense responsibility that space agencies bear in ensuring the safety and well-being of their astronauts.
While the potential rewards of space exploration are immense, the journey towards those rewards may come at a heavy price.
Referenece and Citations:
- Zeenews – NASA astronaut Sunita Williams in poor health doctor shares how extended space stay can b a tol
- Dailymail – health concerns NASA astronauts stranded ISS
- Firstpost – is Sunita Williams falling sick amid extended space mission
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