Last update:09 November 2024, 12:13 IST

Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore have been stranded on the International Space Station (ISS) for more than 150 days after their Starliner spacecraft malfunctioned.

Sunita Williams’ visible weight loss after her long stay in space has sparked concern. (Photo: X)

Indian-origin astronaut Sunita Williams is currently stranded with Butch Wilmore at the International Space Station for nearly five months after Boeing’s faulty Starliner spacecraft returned to Earth in September because it was deemed too risky for a crew . However, Williams’ photo showing drastic weight loss in space surprised the Internet.

Newly released images of the 59-year-old astronaut showed her with a pronounced facial structure and a considerably slimmer figure, with sunken cheeks, indicating that she endured a health crisis due to her prolonged stay in space after a Starliner spacecraft malfunction.

“She lost a lot of weight,” a NASA employee directly involved in the mission told the New York Post. “The pounds have melted off and she is now just skin and bones. So it is a priority to help her stabilize her weight loss and hopefully reverse it.”

ALSO READ: ‘Proud to be an American’: Sunita Williams and other astronauts vote from space, post photo on Election Day

What do astronauts eat in space?

Astronauts must consume twice as many calories as Earth residents due to changes in their metabolism in space. “They have to eat about 3,500 to 4,000 calories a day just to maintain their current weight, and when you start to fall behind, your weight drops quickly,” the NASA employee said.

Scientists use special methods to package and consume food in space. There are several categories of foods, including freeze-dried foods. In this method, astronauts freeze the food and pour water into the food packages to dehydrate it. They also consume heat-stabilized foods such as canned and packaged fish or chicken.

Other foods like nuts, granulated bars and cookies are also consumed by astronauts in transparent packaging, along with powdered drinks, condiments and desserts. Astronauts eat three times a day to maintain muscle mass and density. Astronauts also need to exercise for more than two hours to maintain muscle mass and bone density in a weightless environment.

What is the impact of a long-term stay in space on astronauts?

Staying in space for a long time takes a toll on an astronaut’s health, leading to weight loss, muscle breakdown, bone loss, heart and vision problems, and kidney stones. By staying on the ISS, Williams and Wilmore push their human limits.

Additionally, several NASA studies have determined that the effects of space travel are more severe for women. A 2023 study found that female astronauts lose muscle faster than their male counterparts.

According to the NASA employee, Williams is unable to follow the high-calorie diets that astronauts must follow. To gain weight, Williams might have to consume up to 5,000 calories a day, the source told the NY Post.

What did NASA say about Williams’ health?

Williams and his colleague were only supposed to stay on the ISS for eight days before the spacecraft’s malfunction extended their stay. In light of recent concerns over the health of the Indian-origin astronaut, NASA Space Operations Mission Directorate spokesperson Jimi Russell said that all astronauts currently stationed on the ISS are in “good health” and are undergoing “routine medical evaluations.”

Russell told the Daily Mail that all astronauts are closely monitored by flight surgeons to ensure their health and safety. However, behind the scenes, the US space agency has been scrambling to help Williams after photos of her shocking weight loss shocked the internet.

NASA doctors began working with Williams about a month ago to help him gain weight. Williams and Wilmore are expected to return to Earth aboard SpaceX’s Crew-9 Dragon capsule, which won’t arrive until February 2025. During that time, astronauts will experience microgravity, close quarters and high doses of space radiation.

Location :

Washington DC, United States of America (USA)