A small but noticeable detail has sparked concern as an astronaut was carried away on a stretcher following her return from a long space mission.
The world watched as two NASA astronauts returned to Earth after spending nine months in space.
Sunita Williams, 59, smiled and waved as she was lifted out of the SpaceX Dragon capsule. She was then placed on a stretcher, reassuring the public that she was fine.
However, health experts noticed a subtle sign that raised concerns.
After waving, her right arm suddenly went limp, falling against her thigh.
Doctors told DailyMail.com that this movement could indicate muscle wasting from spending 286 days in microgravity.
How zero gravity affects the muscles and heart
In space, muscles shrink because the body does not need to maintain posture.
The heart may also decrease in size since it works less to circulate blood. Despite these changes, experts noted that Williams’ ability to lift her arm at all was a positive sign.
Concerns about Williams’ health grew after experts observed her thin wrists.
This could indicate weight loss and muscle deterioration.
Dr. Stanton Gerson, a deep-space researcher, noted that Williams appeared more frail than her male crew member, Butch Wilmore.
“She had more difficulty standing up compared to Wilmore,” Dr. Gerson said. “Maintaining muscle mass in space is challenging due to the lack of gravity.”
The impact of gravity on muscle mass
On Earth, gravity forces muscles to work against resistance, which prevents wasting.
In space, this resistance is absent, leading to muscle atrophy. Even exercises like push-ups and pull-ups do not provide the same level of strain as they do on Earth.
Dr. Gerson also pointed out that Williams was likely exhausted after her return.
The journey home involved eight hours of preparation followed by a 17-hour flight back to Earth.
“What I see is a happy but tired astronaut,” he said. “Imagine how you would feel after a long transatlantic flight.”
How much muscle did she lose in space?
Dr. Gerson estimated that Williams likely lost only a small percentage of her muscle mass.
“It would be in the single digits,” he explained. “Some astronauts even return with slightly more muscle mass.”
Men naturally have more muscle than women, which makes muscle loss more noticeable in female astronauts. This could explain why Williams appeared more affected than Wilmore.
Returning to Earth after months in space can affect the inner ear. This organ controls balance and movement, but microgravity alters its function.
“Our inner ear is highly adapted to Earth’s gravity,” Dr. Gerson said. “In space, fluid shifts in the ear, which causes it to behave differently. When astronauts return, they can experience vertigo.”
It typically takes astronauts between one to three months to fully recover.
However, no astronaut has ever suffered permanent health problems from space travel.
Other health effects of long-term space travel
Dr. Vin Gupta, an Air Force surgeon, pointed out that Williams’ ability to lift her arm was a good sign. “Anyone who can raise their arm can also lower it, which means their muscles are still functional,” he said.
Other effects of extended space missions include brain shrinkage and swelling in the eyes. These occur due to fluid shifts caused by the lack of gravity. Dr. Gerson reassured that astronauts usually recover quickly, with no lasting damage.
“Some astronauts report brain fog after returning,” he said. “But it clears up within days or weeks.”
Williams and Wilmore will now undergo rehabilitation to regain
strength and balance. Their journey highlights the physical toll of space travel and the resilience needed to recover on Earth.