NASA astronaut Sunita Williams and Buch Wilmore are set to make their long -awaited comeback on Earth on Tuesday, March 18 (EST). The pair, which originally started the mission that used to last only a few weeks, spent more than nine months aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Their homecoming will be inside a spacex crew dragon capsules, which will conclude in a safe landing in the Earth’s oceans.

As soon as their capsules are opened, astronauts will probably be placed on stretcher. However, this is not caused by any medical emergency, but a standard protocol that should follow all returning astronauts, as experts explain.

Why astronauts are done on stretcher

On returning to Earth, astronauts cannot walk on their own immediately. This phenomenon is the result of temporary physical changes due to prolonged contact of microgravity. NASA follows strict security measures to ensure the good of astronauts.

John Davit, director of applied sports science at Rice University and a former senior scientist at NASA’s Johnson Space Center, said, “Many of them do not want to be brought on a stretcher, but they have been told that they have been told.” Dewitt, who has worked on a large scale on astronaut health and rehabilitation, expands in detail on the physical toll space travel on the human body.

What is space motion sickness

Astronauts often experience dizziness and nausea when returning to Earth, a condition for motion disease that may experience some roller coaster or in the sea. This response, which is usually referred to as “space motion sickness”, is one of the primary reasons that astronauts are taken to stretcher after landing, Davit said.

On Earth, our body rely on gravity to maintain balance and stability. However, the ISS revolves around the Earth in a continuous position of the freefall, creating a loadless environment that forces the body of astronauts to adapt to a new way of functioning. One of the most important changes occurs in the vestibular system located in the inner ear, which plays an important role in maintaining balance. While in space, the brain learns to ignore sensory signals associated with balance, as traditional signs such as gravity are absent. When returning to Earth, a sudden reproduction of gravity causes reorganization of the brain, often leading to temporary disorientation and nausea.

Space and bone loss in space

Beyond the balance related issues, astronauts also experience muscle and bone loss due to extended periods spent in microgravity. On Earth, general activities such as walking and standing on our muscles and bones, keeping them strong. However, in space, astronauts do not use their muscles, causing muscle atrophy – a condition where muscles weaken and shrink over time.

To reduce these effects, astronauts such as Williams and Wilmore follow a rigorous daily exercise aboard the ISS. This includes resistance training and cardiovascular workouts to maintain strength and prevent significant muscles.

“Working for the last nine months,” Williams said Davit in an email. “We feel strong and are ready to deal with the gravity of the Earth.”

Extended migration in space

Williams and Wilmore are part of NASA’s Crew -9 mission, as well as NASA astronauts Nick Hague and Rososmos cosmonot Alexandra Gorbunov. Their return marks the conclusion of a mission which is more than its original timeline so far.

Two astronauts were initially prescribed to spend only a few weeks in space. However, unexpected technical issues with Boeing Starlineer capsules led him to the ISS, leading to an expanded migration. To prevent a safe return to the spacecraft, thruster faced fault and propulsion leaks. As a result, NASA opted to send Starliner back to Earth, causing Williams and Wilmore to ride on the ISS for more than anticipated for months.

Despite the long term, experts assured that astronauts maintain excellent physical and mental health. “They are in good souls and feel very confident that the space station is not going to have a big issue due to being so long from a physical perspective,” Davit explained. “They are getting what they have got, their journey was planned for nine months.”

Effects of long -term space missions

Understanding the effects of long -term space travel on the human body is an important area of ​​research. While Williams and Wilmore have spent an impressive nine months in the ISS, they are away from breaking the record for the longest living in space. The title is of the Russian Cosmonot Valerie Polykov, who spent 437 consecutive days-more than 14 months-1994 and in 1995 at now at Mir Space Station.

NASA and other space agencies continue to study the physical and psychological effects of long -term space travel, especially humanity prepares for the future deep location missions, including the crew’s journey on Mars. Scientists offer unique challenges in long -term contacts to microgravity, radiation and separate environment of space that scientists should address to ensure astronaut safety on long missions.

Last preparation for Earth return

With its scheduled return in a few days, Williams and Wilmore are making final preparations for the re-entry. Back to Earth will be an important test of their endurance after spending such an extended period in microgravity. NASA protocols, including post -landing medical evaluation and rehabilitation programs, will help astronauts read for life under the gravity of the Earth.

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