Dr. Mehak Jonjua:
When NASA astronauts Barry Wilmore and Sunita Williams launched aboard the Boeing Starliner spacecraft on June 5, they estimated a short, eight-day assignment to the International Space Station (ISS). However, a sequence of sudden technical faults has left them stranded in space for nearly two months, with no clear timeline for their return to Earth. This unexpected delay has focused their mission into an extended stay, with the possibility of missing summer entirely and possibly spending Christmas and New Year in orbit.
Wilmore, 61, and Williams, 58, were participating in the Boeing Starliner’s first crewed test flight, an important mission to assess the spacecraft’s performance prior to its regular use as a mode of transportation to the International Space Station. Regretfully, the Starliner had to deal with a number of mechanical problems while running the station, such as leaks in its propulsion system and the need to turn off several thrusters. The Starliner is not now considered safe for the astronauts to return to Earth, despite the fact that they were able to dock successfully at the ISS. NASA now has the task of figuring out a different method to return the astronauts home.
The human body is not made to withstand the long-term impacts of microgravity, and space is a cruel place. One of the biggest problems astronauts have is the reorganization of body fluids because of the lack of gravity. Fluids have a tendency to move up and toward the head, which can lead to dehydration or fluid overload, which can affect kidney function and perhaps result in chronic renal illnesses. Additionally, this fluid shift raises intracranial pressure, which can lead to headaches, vision issues, and cognitive decline. These symptoms could have a serious negative effect on Wilmore and Williams’ well-being during their extended stay.
Bone and muscular health are similarly impacted by the absence of gravity. Muscles can atrophy and bones can lose density without the barrier of Earth’s gravity, which raises the possibility of fractures. These dangers increase with the length of time astronauts spend in space, possibly having long-term health effects. Furthermore, the heart is not as taxed in the microgravity environment, which may be advantageous but may also result in a decrease in cardiovascular fitness and structural alterations in the heart. An astronaut’s health may be negatively impacted by these modifications for the duration of the mission and after they return to Earth.
Radiation exposure is a serious additional issue. The amount of cosmic radiation that astronauts on board the International Space Station (ISS) are subjected to is significantly higher than that of Earth, which raises their risk of cancer and may potentially harm their brains. Both long-term neurological problems and short-term cognitive impairments may result from this exposure.
In addition to upsetting the immunological and digestive systems, the absence of gravity increases an astronaut’s susceptibility to infections and compromises their gut health, all of which increase the risk of digestive issues. The strain of extended seclusion in a small space, along with these physical difficulties, might erode the body’s resistance even more.
Another important issue to consider for long-term space missions is mental health. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), despair, and anxiety are only a few of the severe psychological illnesses that can arise from incarceration, isolation, and uncertainty about their return. Wilmore and Williams’ mental health issues may get worse if they had to spend several more months in space without knowing when they will return.
While NASA works to resolve the technical problems, the world waits in hope that Wilmore and Williams will return safely and on schedule to face the challenges of being stuck in space.
