“Unbelievable Transformation: See How 9 Months in Space Changed These Astronauts Forever!”
Imagine spending 250 days in space—what was supposed to be an eight-day mission turned into a cosmic-long vacation! That’s exactly what NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams experienced when technical hiccups with their spacecraft forced them to rely on a delayed SpaceX capsule for their return. Thankfully, they splashed down back on Earth on March 18, right off the shores of Florida, and let me tell you, that re-entry wasn’t exactly a walk in the park! I mean, fiery plummeting through the atmosphere? No thanks! And then, there are those shocking before-and-after photos that highlight the toll their time in microgravity took on their bodies—definitely a haunting reminder of how space travel can age you in ways you never imagined. From being greeted with relief to showing signs of stress, their journey back home is as incredible as it is eye-opening. Curious to see just how much they’ve changed? Well, get ready for some revelations that’ll make you appreciate every little thing about life on solid ground! For the full scoop, LEARN MORE.
NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams finally returned to Earth yesterday (March 18), much to the relief of friends and loved ones.
What started as just an eight-day mission was extended to 250 days due to a series of technical issues with their spacecraft, which left the pair reliant on a later scheduled SpaceX capsule to bring them home.
The astronaut’s journey back wasn’t easy, as it required a fiery re-entry through the Earth’s atmosphere and a splashdown off the coast of Florida.
Showcasing the impact of their time in space, dramatic before-and-after photos revealed the strain that the mission had on their bodies.
Before-and-after photos revealed the physical impact that a 250-day-long mission had on recently returned astronauts
Image credits: Robert Markowitz / NASA
Upon landing on Earth, the pairwere greeted by a recovery crew who retrieved them from the hatch and placed them on stretchers—standard protocol for long-duration space missions, which put a strain on the body as it acclimates to Earth’s gravity.
Both Williams and Wilmore appeared happy and relieved as they were exiting the capsule, but netizens were quick to notice a dramatic difference in their physical appearance, with some describing them as gaunt and others theorizing that they had aged years in the months they spent in space.
Image credits: NASA/Keegan Barber
Despite astronauts following rigorous exercise regimens while on mission, the effects of microgravity are inevitable.
“Each astronaut aboard the space station engages the muscles, bones, and other connective tissues that comprise their musculoskeletal systems using Earth-like exercise regimens. Crews exercise for an average of two hours a day,” an article from NASA stated.
Image credits: NASA/Keegan Barber
The document also explains that astronautsare expected to lose 1% to 2% of bone density per month, mainly in the hip and spine. For context, menopausal women and older men lose 0.5 to 1% of their bone density per year.
Space travel causes atrophy of bone and muscle, as well as changes in blood flow that have negative effects on health
Image credits: NASA
Muscle loss is also a delicate matter to consider, as the European Space Agency explained, “Loss of 10 to 20 % has been observed on short missions and, if no countermeasures were applied, this could go up to 50% on long duration missions.”
This is caused due to gravity altering the circulating levels of growth hormone, glucocorticoids, and reducing protein synthesis rates, as well as affecting muscle fibers themselves.
Image credits: NASA
The changes in blood circulation are known to cause a condition known as Spaceflight Associated Neuro-Ocular Syndrome (SANS), which can cause pressure to build on the optic nerve, leading to blurred vision.
Many astronauts recover fully after returning to Earth, but some of the effects can be long-lasting.
The current record for most consecutive days in outer space belongs to Frank Rubio, whose mission lasted for 371 days
Image credits: NASA
Wilmore and Williams’ 250-long stay in space is far from the largest any astronaut has spent.
Frank Rubio, a 49-year-old flight surgeon, US Army colonel, astronaut and helicopter pilot, holds the record for the longest-running single spaceflight mission in space at an impressive 371 days.
Upon completing his mission on September 27, 2023, Rubio reported experiencing lower back pain and foot sensitivity, detailing his experience in an interview with Time Magazine.
Image credits: NASA/Keegan Barber
“The first two or three months after your return is really focused on [recovery], just kind of reincorporating yourself into Earth, your family, and then also rehabilitating your body,” he said.
“You adapt incredibly quickly to being in space, but then, unfortunately, the readaptation process back to earth can sometimes be a little bit longer and more difficult.”
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