30.05.2025 16:01
American astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams have returned to Earth after spending 286 days in space. However, they had to struggle with pain caused by gravity, sleep issues, and muscle loss. The astronauts entered a challenging two-month rehabilitation process and have not yet fully adapted to Earth conditions.
American astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams, who were sent to the International Space Station for just an eight-day mission, unexpectedly remained in orbit for 286 days. The mission, which began in June 2024, ended in March, nine months later. However, the astronauts' return to Earth proved to be much more challenging than anticipated.
THE REAL CHALLENGES BEGAN WHEN THEY RETURNED TO EARTH
According to Ladbile, the duo was hospitalized immediately after being brought back to Earth and has since been undergoing an extensive treatment process under the supervision of NASA's health teams. For the astronauts, who successfully resisted the extreme conditions in space, the real struggle began when they set foot on Earth.
"GRAVITY IS DISCOMFORTING"
59-year-old Butch Wilmore stated that he is still experiencing back pain after returning and feels the effects of Earth's gravity on his body intensely. Sharing details about the moment they returned to Earth in a Russian-made capsule, Wilmore said, "We hadn't exited the capsule yet when it landed in the sea, and my neck started to hurt. Gravity can be very uncomfortable for a while; this duration may vary from person to person." He also added that he still feels a slight ache in a specific area of his back.
His mission partner, Sunita Williams, expressed that the last two months have been quite chaotic. Speaking at a welcoming event organized by NASA last week, Williams said, "I knew we would be going home. We just had to wait for the right vehicle to come and pick us up. When everything was ready, we were home." The astronaut also described the challenges of re-establishing her sleep routine, stating that she has only recently been able to return to her daily routine of waking up at 4 AM, which she had become accustomed to since returning from space.
THE COST OF MICROGRAVITY: MUSCLE LOSS AND BONE DENSITY LOSS
Wilmore and Williams fought against the damage caused by microgravity in their bodies during the rehabilitation process guided by NASA specialists. It is known that muscles weaken rapidly and bones face the risk of deterioration during long-term space missions. The duo was placed on a special physical therapy program to strengthen their muscle structures and regain balance in gravity. After an intensive two-month treatment process, both astronauts have largely recovered. However, adapting to Earth's physical conditions is taking more time than expected.