“Unbelievable Transformation: See How 9 Months in Space Changed These Astronauts Forever!”
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.
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