After spending nine months aboard the International Space Station, NASA astronauts Barry “Butch” Wilmore and Sunita “Suni” Williams returned to Earth on March 18 aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft. Following their splashdown near Tallahassee, Florida, both were carried out on stretchers—evidence of the toll space travel can take on the human body.
Back on Earth, the astronauts are now undergoing extensive medical evaluations at NASA’s Johnson Space Center. Prolonged exposure to microgravity can lead to muscle atrophy, vision problems like Spaceflight Associated Neuro-Ocular Syndrome (SANS), and other issues such as “chicken legs,” “baby feet,” and facial puffiness due to fluid shifts.
Despite their intensive onboard exercise routines, they appeared frail and disoriented. Experts warn recovery could take weeks or even months. Still, NASA says most astronauts return to normal fitness levels within 45 days. For now, Wilmore and Williams are adjusting to gravity and healing from their mission.