Latest news with #BarryWilmore
Economic Times
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Economic Times
'Gravity stinks': NASA astronaut reveals harsh toll of Earth's pull after nine months stranded in space in latest health update
Stranded in space for 256 days, astronauts Barry Wilmore and Sunita Williams faced unexpected health challenges upon returning to Earth. Gravity-triggered pain, fatigue, and disorientation underscored the toll of prolonged microgravity. Now assisting NASA and Boeing with post-mission analysis, the duo's experience offers crucial lessons for upcoming missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads 'We Were Still Floating—And My Neck Already Hurt' Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads From Astronaut to Earthling: A Painful Transformation A Mission That Keeps on Giving The Cost of Going Where Few Have Gone When NASA astronauts Barry 'Butch' Wilmore and Sunita 'Suni' Williams blasted off last June aboard Boeing's Starliner capsule, they were scheduled for a quick eight-day hop to the International Space Station. Instead, they found themselves unwilling space castaways—stranded in orbit for an astonishing 256 days as a cascade of technical failures turned their short assignment into a nine-month was the kind of space drama that seems scripted for a sci-fi thriller, with unexpected heroes and interstellar twists. And when Boeing's beleaguered Starliner refused to bring them home, it was Elon Musk's SpaceX Dragon that swooped in for the rescue. On March 18, the duo finally splashed down on Earth—but that triumphant return marked the beginning of an entirely different battle: readjusting to life on a planet where gravity is weeks after their return, the astronauts are still unpacking the effects of their unexpected exile in microgravity. Speaking to Reuters on Wednesday (28 May), a candid and humorous Butch Wilmore summed up the transition with unforgettable words: 'Gravity stinks for a period.'Wilmore, 62, revealed that he had chronic back and neck issues before the mission—problems that completely vanished in the weightlessness of space. But the moment Earth reclaimed him, so did the pain. 'We're still floating in the capsule in the ocean, and my neck starts hurting, while we still hadn't even been extracted yet,' he a sobering testament to just how dramatically space reshapes the human body—and how violently gravity reasserts Suni Williams , the reentry was less dramatic but equally taxing. Despite following a strict in-space fitness regime—two hours of daily exercise meant to preserve bone density and muscle mass—her recovery has been anything but smooth. She described a strange, sluggish fatigue that lingered long after touchdown, making even waking up in the morning a challenge.'For a while, I couldn't get up when I wanted to,' Williams admitted. 'Then I'm up at four in the morning, and I'm like, Aha! I'm back.'The human body, it turns out, doesn't forgive the absence of gravity easily. While floating in space may sound like a dream, it's a physiological puzzle—one that NASA's medical teams are still trying to their boots are firmly back on the ground, Wilmore and Williams are far from finished. Their unplanned endurance test has become invaluable data for NASA and Boeing, as the space agencies refine protocols for longer missions—and brace for eventual journeys to the Moon and based in Houston, the pair spend their days splitting time between recovery sessions with NASA's strength and reconditioning team and contributing their firsthand insights to the Starliner program. From balancing on wobble boards to running simulations, their mission has become a case study in human resilience—both physical and psychological.'It's been a little bit of a whirlwind,' Williams reflected, her voice carrying the weight of both exhaustion and tale is a striking reminder: space travel isn't just about high-tech capsules and cosmic views. It's about what it takes to come home. The journey back to Earth may last only minutes, but the return to normalcy—well, that can take weeks, months, or perhaps never really be humanity dreams bigger and aims farther, Wilmore and Williams are the living proof that even our boldest scientific pursuits must grapple with the oldest of forces—gravity, and the aching, beautiful burden of being human.
Medscape
7 days ago
- Health
- Medscape
Why Funding Space Medicine Matters More Than Ever
Shreenik Kundu, MBBS, MSc When NASA astronauts Sunita 'Suni' Williams and Barry 'Butch' Wilmore launched in June 2024, they expected to spend just over a week in space. Instead, due to technical issues with their Boeing Starliner spacecraft, they remained aboard the International Space Station for more than 286 days. Though the duo rejected the term 'stranded,' the world watched their unplanned odyssey with awe. Their mission took place during a pivotal moment in space exploration, as both national agencies and, recently, private companies expanded access to orbit. This growing reach brings an urgent reminder: Our ability to care for humans in space must evolve alongside our ambition to send them there. The health challenges faced during their extended stay reveal why understanding and investing in aerospace medicine is essential, not just for astronauts, but also for the future of healthcare on Earth. Long-duration spaceflight pushes human physiology to its limits. Floating in microgravity, astronauts experience bodily changes that read like an accelerated aging process. Deprived of gravity's pull, bones lose mineral density at a rate of 1%-1.5% per month and muscles atrophy from disuse despite vigorous exercise. Fluids shift upward toward the head, sometimes impairing vision and brain structure, a condition scientists call SANS (spaceflight-associated neuro-ocular syndrome). The heart, no longer working against gravity, can weaken, and the immune system can become less effective, leaving crew members more susceptible to infections. Even the psyche is tested by isolation and confinement. Yet Williams and Wilmore returned in good health after 9 months, a testament to careful medical monitoring and the strides aerospace medicine has made. It is also a warning: Missions can last far longer than planned, so space agencies must be prepared to keep astronauts healthy in unpredictable circumstances. In this case, NASA improvised by integrating the pair into the Station's normal crew rotation, ensuring they had access to nutrition, exercise, and medical care until a SpaceX capsule brought them home safely. Such adaptability in extreme conditions is only possible because of decades of research into how the human body copes with space; research that is yielding dividends for healthcare here on Earth. Space Tech in Earthly Healthcare Consider how technology developed for astronauts could find its way into your hospital or home. When Williams and Wilmore were 'stuck' in orbit, doctors on the ground guided them through ultrasounds using remote telemedicine tools, the same approach now used to deliver prenatal care and emergency ultrasounds in rural communities with no resident physician. The biosensors in an astronaut's suit that track heart rate, temperature, and hydration have inspired wearable devices for patients on Earth. In fact, NASA's need to monitor crew health remotely led to an AI-powered system that now lets clinicians track heart failure patients at home and intervene early. These are not isolated examples. Spaceflight's harsh realities, limited resources, no immediate evacuation, delayed communication, forced innovations like compact medical devices, telemedicine protocols, and autonomous health support have relevant parallels to low-resource settings back on Earth. Aerospace medicine's benefits mirror the story of Formula One racing and everyday cars. The extreme environment of F1 with high speeds and high stakes is a proving ground for safety and engineering breakthroughs, from advanced braking systems to fuel efficiency, which eventually make their way into the sedans and SUVs we drive. Space is a similar testbed for healthcare. Treating osteoporosis takes on new urgency when a crew's bones are thinning in microgravity. Solutions, like new bone-loss medications or exercise regimes developed for a Mars mission, could aid the 55-year-old on Earth with osteoporosis. The psychological support methods crafted for a lonely, stressed astronaut can improve mental healthcare for isolated communities or even future pandemic lockdowns. Innovations are not confined to physiology either. The Canadarm robot that maintained the Space Shuttle led to a robotic arm for delicate brain surgeries on Earth, and Mars rover engineering spurred telemedicine robots that perform remote ultrasound and surgery, bringing specialist care to remote villages. In short, investing in space health is not a zero-sum diversion from terrestrial medicine: It is a catalyst for it. Space Health in Policy Discussions Robert D. Glatter, MD The space race is also no longer the domain of national agencies alone. The recent successful crewed launch by Blue Origin marks a turning point; private companies are no longer just ferrying cargo but are now sending people into orbit. Space is becoming more accessible, drawing in not only researchers and astronauts, but also tourists and filmmakers. Yet, with this growing democratization of space comes a deeper responsibility: Health and safety must not be afterthoughts in the rush to explore. Artificial intelligence and even early-stage quantum computing are being harnessed to address the complex challenges of long-duration missions, from predicting health issues before they emerge to improving radiation shielding. These innovations signal that we are preparing to send humans farther and for longer. NASA's Artemis program aims to establish a sustained presence on the Moon, and a crewed mission to Mars is moving from science fiction to a near-future reality. But amid the excitement of shiny rockets and futuristic habitats lies a less glamorous truth: Without robust medical infrastructure, even the most ambitious missions may falter. It is one thing to send humans to Mars, it is quite another to keep them healthy during the journey and once they arrive. That is why making space health central to policy discussions is so urgent. We need our leaders to recognize that funding astronaut healthcare research benefits everyone, not just a few spacefarers. We need more initiatives, including fellowships, residencies, and training programs that prepare clinicians to practice medicine in extreme environments, both off-planet and in underserved communities on Earth. The 'stranded astronauts' story is an opportunity to push for greater investment in the medical systems that protect space explorers. This includes encouraging companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin to play a stronger role in advancing space health research and infrastructure. This could also mean increasing budgets for NASA's human research program (currently just a tiny fraction of overall space expenditures) and incentivizing public-private partnerships to translate space innovations into clinics worldwide with the help of companies like SpaceX. It also means incorporating the lessons of aerospace medicine into global health strategies: If we can deliver quality care to astronauts 400 km above Earth, we can surely improve care for isolated populations 400 km from the nearest city. Each medical puzzle we solve in space, like how to mend a broken bone or treat an infection without a full hospital, adds a piece to the puzzle of better healthcare on Earth. The line between an astronaut and the rest of us is thinner than we think. We should heed the call. Let us channel the same urgency and ambition that fuels rocket launches into supporting aerospace medicine. It is time for health policy to enter the final frontier, not as an afterthought but as a driving force. The next time astronauts are thrust into an unforeseen trial, we will be ready to care for them, and we will be better equipped to care for ourselves. It is up to us to ensure that support grows stronger, for astronauts and Earthlings alike, because the innovations that keep a person alive in space might just save your life down here tomorrow.
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Wilmore returns to Earth after extended stay in space
Barry Wilmore, a Mt. Juliet native, returned to Earth after an extended stay at the International Space Station. What was originally meant to be a mission lasting just a week turned into a nine-month stay on the ISS due to technical problems with the Boeing Starliner ship that carried Wilmore and Williams to the station. NASA sent the Boeing ship back to Earth uncrewed. During the extended stay, residents of Mt. Juliet kept Wilmore on their minds. Tim Bryant, Wilson County Fellowship of Christian Athletes chapter director, had what he called 'Wilmore Wednesdays' where he asked community members to remember Wilmore and the other crew stuck on the ISS. 'Through social media, we're asking friends every Wednesday to say a prayer for Barry and the crew's safe return,' Bryant said. 'Barry and I grew up together. He's a real great fella, really down to Earth.' At FCA meetings, members would take a moment to say that prayer. Just a day before the SpaceX Crew Dragon Freedom carried a new crew to the ISS, Mt. Juliet leaders gathered at the Barry Wilmore tribute display on 11222 Lebanon Rd. MJPD Lt. Sean Ronan and Deputy Fire Chief Joey Edwards placed a yellow wreath at the display. According to Mt. Juliet city leaders, the yellow color represents the community's prayers for Wilmore's safe return. Indulgence Salon and Medi Spa provided the wreath. Wilmore is a retired U.S. Navy Captain, a graduate of Tennessee Technological University and completed three missions in space. He's done 21 hours and 2 minutes of total spacewalk time. On Tuesday, Crew Dragon Freedom, carrying NASA astronauts Nick Hague, Sunny Williams, Barry Wilmore, along with cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, splashed down off the coast of Florida. 'Welcome back to Earth!' the City of Mt. Juliet posted on social media after the landing. Bryant said he'd like for Wilmore to travel to Mt. Juliet for a celebration, a sentiment shared by residents on Facebook asking for a parade in Wilmore's honor. 'I'm sure he's just ready to be home with his family for the time being,' Bryant said.
Al Jazeera
19-03-2025
- Science
- Al Jazeera
NASA's trapped astronauts return to earth after 9 months
NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore have returned to Earth aboard a SpaceX Dragon capsule, after spending nine months stranded in space. They had planned to spend eight days on the International Space Station but the Boeing Starliner they were relying on to return them to Earth malfunctioned.
The Independent
18-03-2025
- Science
- The Independent
Nine months in space: What have the stuck Nasa astronauts missed out on?
Astronauts Barry Wilmore and Sunita Williams have spent month marooned on the International Space Station. The pair lifted off to the ISS last June on what was supposed to be a routine test flight of Boeing 's Strainercapsule to evaluate the spacecraft 's capabilities. They were scheduled to spend a week in space, but technical problems forced their capsule to return without them, leaving them stranded with no way back home - until today (18 March). As they journey back to Earth, The Independent takes a look at the milestone events in history that have happened while Wilmore and Williams were away. They sure have a lot to catch up on.
