NASA has been under immense pressure after a week-long mission by astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry ‘Butch’ Wilmore turned into a six-month standby at the International Space Station (ISS) due to a Boeing Starliner malfunction.

Originally planned to last just eight days, Williams and Wilmore have been stranded since June 6, raising concerns about their health. Recent photos show Williams, 59, looking quite frail, causing doctors to worry about the effects of a long stay in space.

What was supposed to be an eight-day mission stretched into an exhausting six months due to malfunction.

After the latest photos emerged, a doctor expressed concerns about the health of one of NASA’s stranded astronauts.

What are the health concerns?

Health concerns have emerged about NASA astronauts, especially Sunita Williams, staying in space for a long time. Seattle pulmonologist Dr. Vinay Gupta said the two astronauts had a positive public appearance, but a recent photo told a different story.

Apparently the two American astronauts stranded on the ISS are not in good health, especially Suni Williams. pic.twitter.com/0bO64DUXeu

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To talk daily mail“The person you see there, I think, is someone who is experiencing the natural stress of living at very high altitudes, or even in a pressurized cabin, for long periods of time,” Gupta said.

He noted that Williams’ “cheeks looked a little sunken,” which typically indicates total body weight loss. “I think what I can tell from her face and the way her cheeks are sunken is that she’s probably been on a serious (calorie) deficit for a while,” he added.

Space conditions increase calorie burn as the body adapts to zero gravity and tries to maintain temperature in harsh, cold environments. To counteract muscle and bone loss, astronauts also burn additional calories by exercising for about 2.5 hours per day.

This comes just days after reports that another NASA crew member was hospitalized after more than 200 days on the ISS.

Specifically, astronauts are recommended to consume up to 3,500 calories per day to prevent body breakdown, but Gupta explained: “Your metabolism (in space) basically requires you to burn much more energy than you’re taking in, even if you’re taking in pepper slices.”

“His body is probably working harder to do basic things because the partial pressure of oxygen is lower than it is at sea level.”

Williams recently took command of the International Space Station for the second time. Williams has extensive experience in the orbital laboratory, having previously served as the ISS commander during the 33rd Expedition in 2012.

Last month, he also shared his Diwali wishes with people celebrating the festival in the United States and around the world.

Posted by Sunita Williams #Diwali Greetings from space pic.twitter.com/YGAUnPWtJw

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“Greetings from the ISS,” he said. “I want to extend my Happy Diwali wishes to everyone celebrating this day at the White House and around the world.

A 2014 NASA study found that women lose more blood plasma volume in space and that stress responses differ by gender: Women have a faster heart rate, while men show increased vascular resistance. Plasma loss increases metabolic rate, slightly increases calorie burn, and potentially leads to weight loss like the one seen in Williams.

NASA’s response to health concerns

In response to concerns about Sunita Williams’ health, NASA reassured her that she and her colleagues on the ISS were in good condition.

“All NASA astronauts aboard the International Space Station undergo routine medical evaluations, have dedicated flight surgeons monitoring them, and are in good health,” said NASA spokesman Jimi Russell. Daily Mail.

4 NASA crew members hospitalized

On November 5, four Crew-8 astronauts who spent more than 200 days aboard the ISS were sent for medical evaluations following their landing in Florida on October 25 aboard the SpaceX Dragon capsule.

NASA initially confirmed that one astronaut required care and all were transported to a local hospital as a precaution.

Astronauts Matthew Dominick, Michael Barratt, Jeanette Epps and Alexander Grebenkin appeared to be in good condition at the time of landing but were later taken to hospital for observation. However, NASA did not share other details to keep the crew member’s medical information private.

What about the rescue mission?

NASA’s plan is for the SpaceX Dragon vehicle, which is currently undergoing tests on the ISS, to bring Wilmore and Williams back in February.

SpaceX launched a rescue mission in September, carrying a scaled-down crew for rescue. The Boeing Starliner that was supposed to bring Wilmore and Williams back experienced problems earlier this year and had to return to Earth without them.

NASA and SpaceX coordinated for Wilmore and Williams’ return on a flight with two reserved seats. The rescue flight will not return until the end of February because an earlier return would disrupt other planned missions.

SpaceX, a long-time leader in NASA’s commercial crew program, took the lead in sending astronauts to the ISS in 2020 and has now completed 10 crewed flights for NASA.