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- By Shivangi Sharma
- Wed, 22 Jan 2025 12:18 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Indian-origin astronaut Sunita Williams has been cautioned about the serious consequences she might face if she does not address key health concerns before her return from space. Dr Kirsty Lindsay, an assistant professor of Aerospace Medicine at Northumbria University and an expert in astronaut health, shed light on the physical toll of space missions in an interview with Metro.
Lindsay likened spacewalks to the “heaviest gym session” imaginable on Earth, explaining that Williams may still be feeling the effects of her previous spacewalk. These activities are not only physically gruelling but also compounded by the unique challenges of microgravity, which affects the body in profound ways.
According to Lindsay, before stepping outside the International Space Station (ISS), Williams and her fellow astronaut Butch Wilmore must undergo meticulous preparations to adapt to the reduced atmospheric pressure. One critical step involves breathing 100 per cent oxygen in a specially designed airlock compartment. This process minimises the risk of decompression sickness—commonly known as "the bends"—which occurs when nitrogen forms harmful bubbles in the blood and tissues, similar to what deep-sea divers experience during rapid ascent.
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Dr Lindsay further emphasised NASA's careful attention to potential vertigo and dizziness that astronauts may encounter when transitioning out of the airlock. The shift in environment can be disorienting, posing a significant challenge during such missions.
Space's Physical Demands
Long-duration spaceflights also lead to systemic changes in the body, ranging from muscle atrophy to fluid redistribution and bone density loss. These changes underscore the importance of rigorous preparation and post-mission recovery to safeguard astronauts' health.
As she continues her mission aboard the ISS, experts like Lindsay stress the critical need for proper precautions to mitigate potential health risks. Concerns about Sunita Williams' health are growing as her extended stay in space has led to significant weight loss, highlighted by images released earlier this year. Due to metabolic changes in space, astronauts require double the calories of people on Earth.
