Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore are coming home.

The 47th US President Donald Trump recently addressed the situation of NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore and updated the press about their return to earth.

However, with less than an hour to go before liftoff, SpaceX postponed the launch of the Falcon 9 rocket from Florida, US that was carrying a crew of four astronauts who would have replaced the so-called stranded NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore.

According to NASA and SpaceX, they have scrubbed March 13th’s launch attempt of the agency's Crew-10 mission to the International Space Station due to a hydraulic system issue with a ground support clamp arm for the Falcon 9 rocket at Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center.


The long haul:

NASA astronaut Sunita Williams went to space on June 5, 2024. She and fellow astronaut Butch Wilmore launched on Boeing's Starliner spacecraft for the first crewed flight of the vehicle. The flight was originally scheduled to last about a week. However, technical issues caused NASA to delay the return of the Starliner to Earth. The 59-year-old has been trapped in space along with 61-year-old Wilmore after their spacecraft experienced mechanical issues and had to be sent back home without them.

Williams and Wilmore remained on the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the Expedition 71/72 crew, and they have been stranded in space for more than nine months.


The aftereffects:

While Williams made history by being one of the most experienced spacewalkers with nine spacewalks (second most for a woman) and a total time of 62 hours and 6 minutes (fourth overall, current record-holder for most hours spent during spacewalks by a woman), the ace astronaut has been exposed to unique and extreme conditions, including microgravity, radiation, and psychological stress. Now, all of these factors can have lasting effects on the human body.

Let’s take a look at these risks.


Exposure to radiation for a long period:

After Williams Wilmore’s spacecraft experienced significant technical issues upon arriving at the International Space Station (ISS), a space mission that was originally planned to last only seven days was extended indefinitely.

As per experts, one of the most significant health risks that astronaut Sunita Williams may face is harmful space radiation exposure . Unlike Earth, which has a protective atmosphere and magnetic field to protect the human body from harmful cosmic and solar radiation, space comprises a much harsher environment, especially for the human body (when exposed to it for a prolonged period).

Can this prolonged exposure to radiation cause cancer?

Radiation exposure is a well-known carcinogenic agent that increases cancer risk.

Aerospace astronauts who stay at the ISS and take part in long-duration missions are at an increased risk of developing cancer. The highly harmful cosmic rays and solar radiation available in space not only damages DNA but also leads to severe mutations that may trigger cancer. NASA estimates that astronauts on the ISS receive about 20 times more radiation than people on Earth. Over time, cumulative exposure can elevate the risk of cancers such as leukemia and solid tumors.

Experts suggest that Sunita Williams' prolonged exposure to this radiation could increase her lifetime cancer risk. However, NASA carefully monitors astronauts' radiation exposure and limits their cumulative dosage over their careers to minimize these risks.





The other side-effects:

Apart from the exposure to radiation, another major concern for astronauts is spending extended periods in space is the effect of microgravity on the brain. The absence of gravity causes bodily fluids to shift upward toward the head, leading to increased intracranial pressure. This phenomenon can result in visual changes, headaches, and potential long-term brain structure alterations.

Besides, studies on astronauts who have spent months aboard the ISS have revealed changes in brain volume and structure. The condition, known as Spaceflight-Associated Neuro-ocular Syndrome (SANS), involves swelling in the optic nerves and changes in brain morphology due to prolonged exposure to microgravity.

Furthermore, researchers have observed reductions in white matter, which is responsible for communication between different parts of the brain. This can lead to cognitive impairments, memory issues, and difficulties in processing information. Some astronauts also experience vestibular disturbances, which affect balance and spatial orientation.

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