Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore were only supposed to be on the ISS for eight days
The long story of Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore might be wrapping up soon because NASA is finally set to bring the two astronauts back home. Williams and Wilmore have become well-known in the space world after being stuck on the International Space Station for almost a year. Even though Williams has said they aren’t really stranded, their mission that was supposed to last eight days turned into a much longer stay because of a problem with their Boeing Starliner capsule, which had to return to Earth without them. As time goes on, Williams and Wilmore have now been living on the ISS for 272 days and still counting.
Williams and Wilmore are finally set to be rescued in March 2025 (NASA)
Things are finally coming to a close after President Donald Trump urged Elon Musk to take action, with Musk saying they were left behind by the Biden administration. He even called one famous astronaut an ‘idiot.’
SpaceX’s much-anticipated Crew-10 launch is set for March 12, and the two astronauts are ready to touch down on Earth again. After their return, they will have to make some big changes to adjust back to life on the ground.
Williams has shared the tough daily routine they have while in space, which includes two hours of exercise to help protect their bones and muscles from damage.
We already knew that coming back to ‘normal’ life would be challenging, but doctors have told DailyMail.com more about what Williams and Wilmore might face.
Once Williams and Wilmore exit their capsule, they will likely be placed on stretchers and quickly taken for medical checks.
Dr. Vinay Gupta, a pulmonologist and Air Force veteran, mentioned that it could take up to six weeks of intense workouts to regain their strength.
This recovery process will begin as soon as they land and will start with walking, flexibility, and muscle strengthening. The second part of the 45-day plan will include exercises for balance and cardio training. The final phase, which is the longest, will focus on getting them back to their best physical shape through ‘functional development training.’
This photo of NASA astronaut Suni Williams goes pretty hard.
— Nick Stewart (@NStewWX) February 9, 2025
📸: NASA pic.twitter.com/m3JqwYoqCx
This photo of NASA astronaut Suni Williams goes pretty hard. 📸: NASA
Williams and Wilmore have experienced a year’s worth of Earth radiation in just one week while in space. Gupta mentioned that if he were their doctor, he would consider a more proactive approach to cancer screening because of their unusual exposure history.
Research shows that astronauts between the ages of 30 and 50 can lose about half of their strength after spending six months in space. Dr. John Jaquish, a biomedical engineer, explains that without Earth’s gravity, the human body doesn’t work as it should.
Even though astronauts follow an exercise routine, Gupta pointed out that they are only getting a small amount of the exercise we get from simply walking on Earth.
He added that even with their best efforts, there will still be a noticeable decrease in muscle mass and strength.
While most astronauts can regain their fitness within 45 days after returning, it can sometimes take them months or even years to fully recover.
Featured Image Credit: NASA