Why is This in the News?

NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams have safely returned to Earth after an unexpectedly extended 286-day mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS).

Their journey, initially planned as an 8-day mission, was delayed due to propulsion issues with Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft. Eventually, they made their return aboard SpaceX’s Crew Dragon, emphasizing the technological and health challenges associated with prolonged space travel.

NASA Astronaut Sunita Williams landed on Earth

Starliner vs. Crew Dragon: A Tale of Two Spacecraft

Starliner Spacecraft (Boeing)

• Developed under NASA’s Commercial Crew Program (CCP)to transport astronauts to and from low Earth orbit (LEO).
• Successfully carried Williams and Wilmore to the ISS in 2024, but propulsion complicationsextended their stay in space.

Crew Dragon (SpaceX)

• A reusable spacecraft designed for NASA’s CCP, launched atop a Falcon 9 rocket.
• Comes in two versions: Crew Dragon(for astronauts)  Cargo Dragon(for supplies).
• NASA’s Crew-9 mission safely returned Wilmore and Williams aboard the Crew Dragon “Freedom”.

The Hidden Costs of Space Travel: Health Implications

1. Space Anemia  – Astronauts experience a drop in red blood cell count, leading to fatigue, dizziness, and cardiovascular risks upon return.

2. Spaceflight-Associated Neuro-ocular Syndrome (SANS)

• Caused by fluid shifts in microgravity, leading to optic disc swelling and farsightedness.

3. “Baby Feet” Syndrome

• Prolonged weightlessness erases foot calluses, making soles hypersensitive and walking challenging post-mission.

4. Bone Density Loss

• Astronauts lose ~2% of bone density per month, increasing the risk of osteoporosis-like conditions.

5. Cosmic Radiation Risks

• Unlike Earth, space lacks atmospheric and magnetic shielding, exposing astronauts to cosmic rays and solar radiation.
• Prolonged exposure may lead to DNA damage, genetic mutations, and heightened cancer risks, particularly for deep-space missions to Mars and beyond.

NASA Astronaut Sunita Williams