US astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, who have been unexpectedly stranded in space for nine months due to technical issues, may face significant physical challenges upon their return to Earth next week. Originally set for an eight-day mission, their prolonged stay aboard the International Space Station (ISS) has raised concerns about the toll of long-duration space travel on the human body.
While NASA’s Crew-10 is set to arrive at the ISS today (March 16) aboard a Falcon 9 rocket from Kennedy Space Center, Williams and Wilmore’s return to Earth will require careful monitoring and rehabilitation.
One of the conditions the astronauts might experience is known as “baby feet,” where the soles of their feet become unusually soft due to the lack of friction and [gravity](https://www.financialexpress.com/market/gravity-(india)-ltd-share-price/) in space. On Earth, constant pressure and resistance keep the skin on our feet thick and calloused. However, in microgravity, this protective layer sheds, leaving the feet tender and sensitive. This makes walking painful until the skin toughens up again, a process that can take weeks or even months.
Beyond soft feet, astronauts face a more serious challenge—bone density loss. NASA research indicates that astronauts lose about 1% of their weight-bearing bone density per month in space, unless they take rigorous countermeasures such as resistance exercise. Prolonged exposure to microgravity also weakens muscles that normally work to support body movement on Earth, making readjustment to normal gravity a difficult and strenuous process.
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Microgravity affects the circulatory system as well. With no gravity pulling blood downward, the heart doesn’t have to work as hard to pump blood through the body, leading to a decrease in blood volume. This can cause dizziness, weakness, and an increased risk of blood clots. Additionally, fluid buildup in the head can alter the shape of the eyeballs, leading to vision problems—a condition observed in many astronauts after extended space missions.
One of the most concerning risks of space travel is radiation exposure. Unlike on Earth, where the planet’s atmosphere and magnetic field provide natural protection, astronauts in space are vulnerable to harmful radiation from three primary sources: trapped particles in Earth’s magnetic field, solar radiation from the Sun, and galactic cosmic rays. Prolonged exposure to these radiation sources increases the risk of cancer, neurological damage, and other health complications.
The road to full recovery from the effects of long-term space travel will likely take months, with astronauts undergoing extensive physical therapy and medical evaluations to regain strength, balance, and overall health.
Their experience highlights the physiological challenges of prolonged space missions—an important consideration as space agencies and private companies prepare for future deep-space exploration, including missions to Mars.