NASA has raised new health concerns for astronaut Sunita Williams as she continues an unexpectedly extended mission on the International Space Station (ISS). Originally planned as an eight-day mission, Williams’s stay was prolonged beyond 150 days due to technical issues with the Boeing Starliner spacecraft.
This prolonged duration has led to a marked decline in her physical health, including significant weight loss that has garnered attention and sparked worry. Williams’s drastic transformation became evident in recent images showing her visibly slimmer, with her face showing the toll of long-duration space travel.
The challenge has been partly due to the demanding caloric needs in space. Astronauts must consume 3,500 to 4,000 calories daily to maintain body weight, a challenging requirement, especially as intense two-hour daily workouts burn additional calories to prevent muscle and bone loss in the zero-gravity environment. Williams, who began her mission at around 140 pounds, has faced difficulty keeping up with the calorie intake, leading to her rapid weight drop.
NASA’s medical team began addressing her weight loss a month ago, even before viral photos drew public attention. A NASA spokesperson reassured that the team is actively working to support Williams’s health, acknowledging the unique stresses and metabolic changes astronauts experience during extended space missions.
