NASA astronauts, currently stranded in space, share their Thanksgiving plans, including how they’ll celebrate and what meals they’ll enjoy.
NASA astronauts Barry Wilmore and Sunita Williams are currently aboard the ISS after an unexpected mission delay.
Originally planned for eight days, technical issues with the Boeing Starliner shuttle delayed their return until February 2025.
Despite their extended time in space, they are finding ways to celebrate Thanksgiving.
NASA astronauts are celebrating Thanksgiving in space this year.
As Thanksgiving approached, the astronauts took a moment to share their plans for the holiday.
In a recent message from the ISS, Suni Williams greeted everyone back on Earth and expressed their gratitude for the support they have received.
She said, “Our crew wants to say a happy Thanksgiving to our friends and family and everyone down on Earth supporting us.”
Butch Wilmore joined in to explain how they would celebrate the holiday.
He mentioned that although their meal might look different from traditional Thanksgiving dinners, they still had a feast planned.
The menu includes Brussels sprouts, butternut squash, apples, spices, and smoked turkey.
Butch said: “We’re going to celebrate that tradition here although our meal might look little bit different.
We’ve got a feast – we’ve got Brussels sprouts, butternut squash, apples and spice and smoked turkey – it’s going to be delicious.”
Health concerns and misunderstandings arose during the mission.
Recently, there were concerns about the astronauts’ health.
Some photos of Suni Williams showed her looking thinner than usual, which alarmed many.
However, Suni reassured everyone that her weight has remained stable since her launch in June.
She explained that in space, fluid shifts occur, which can change how a person looks.
She said, “You’ve probably heard of fluid shifts. Folks in space, their heads look a little bit bigger because the fluid evens out along the body.”
Suni added, “My thighs are a little bit bigger, my butt is a little bit bigger. We do a lot of squats.”
This highlights the importance of physical activity for astronauts, especially since they can lose bone density while in space.
Physical activity is crucial for maintaining overall health.
Maintaining fitness in space is crucial for astronauts.
Suni noted that astronauts can lose up to two percent of bone density each month in their hips and spine.
To combat this, they perform regular exercises and stay active.
Suni emphasized that keeping strong bones is essential for their health during their time in orbit.
The astronauts also expressed their appreciation for the support from people back on Earth.
The teamwork and dedication of NASA staff, families, and volunteers have been vital during this mission.
Their ability to stay connected with loved ones, even from space, has helped them cope with the challenges of being away for so long.