Two astronauts currently stranded on the International Space Station (ISS) risk “life-changing” side effects if they remain in space until 2025, experts warn.
On June 5, NASA test pilots Barry “Butch” Wilmore and Sunita Williams set off on an eight-day trip to the ISS.
However, the new Boeing Starliner capsule that was supposed to bring them home had numerous technical problems, leaving the two stranded until NASA found a solution.
The space agency is working tirelessly on a way to bring Wilmore and Williams home, but said in a statement earlier this week that it might not happen until next year.
Steve Stich, head of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, said Wednesday (August 7) that the duo’s only choice might be to jump on the return flight of another mission in February 2025.
“We have worked with SpaceX to ensure they are prepared to respond with Crew-9 as a contingency plan,” Stich said.
“We have not yet officially committed to this path, but wanted to make sure we had the flexibility we needed.
“Our first choice is to bring Butch and Suni back on the Starliner. However, we have done the necessary planning to ensure that we have other options available.
“I think Butch and Suni are ready to do whatever we ask of them.”
Astronauts Barry “Butch” Wilmore and Sunita Williams could be stuck in space until next year due to technical problems with their spacecraft. (Kirk Sides/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images)
If this option were to be implemented, the astronauts would have already spent eight months on the ISS when they returned to Earth.
However, this could pose a significant risk to their health, as their physical condition could deteriorate the longer they remain in space.
Rachael Seidler, professor of applied physiology and kinesiology at the University of Florida, told DailyMail.com: “In general, almost all of the physiological changes we observe during manned spaceflight appear to be dose-dependent.”
“The longer you are there, the greater the change – at least up to a certain point.”
Living in reduced gravity means the body’s bones and muscles don’t work as hard as they should. This can lead to loss of bone density and muscle wasting.
Wilmore and Williams have adapted to life on the ISS, but the longer they are in space, the more damage their bodies will suffer. (Instagram/@ISS)
“Astronauts are experiencing accelerated bone loss at an alarming rate – about 12 times faster than severe osteoporosis on Earth,” said Kyle Zagrodzky, founder and CEO of the bone health clinic Osteostrong, News week.
“Osteoporosis increases the risk of fractures and often leads to life-changing injuries.”
In addition, according to the European Space Agency, astronauts on long-term missions in space can lose up to 50 percent of their muscle mass, impairing their ability to perform physically demanding activities and causing great pain.
Other health risks Wilmore and Williams could face include changes in the shape and function of their hearts, vision problems and intense radiation exposure.
Every day they spend on the ISS does more damage to their bodies, so the sooner NASA can get them home, the better.
