Credit: NASA
Astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore initially embarked on what they thought would be an eight-day mission aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft on June 5.
The two had been stuck aboard the international space station after technical issues aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft, the capsule’s first crewed test flight.
By the time the craft reached the ISS, five of the Staliner’s 28 thrusters failed, and the craft also began leaking helium.
As the full scale of the ship’s technical issues became apparent, it was clear that Williams and Wilmore would not be returning home.
In August NASA decided to send the Starliner back to Earth without its crew, as it posed too high of a risk.
In September Crew-9 with Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, successfully reached the ISS, with two empty seats.
Further delays meant the crew couldn’t leave the ship until Crew-10 had arrived at the space station, despite their return vehicle being docked at the station.
The Crew-10 mission finally took off on March launched on March 14, and arrived at the ISS 48 hours later.
This meant the astronauts would finally be able to return to Earth after nine months on the international space station.
On Tuesday 18, at 5:57 p.m. the SpaceX Dragon Freedom splashed down the coats of Tallahassee, Florida.
As the spaceship landed in the ocean, a school of curious dolphins began swimming around the alien object.
Videos of their return have been shared online, with many users concerned for their health as they had to be assisted by the mobility aid.
People are pointing out that the astronauts don’t look well and are unable to stand unassisted.
Discussing the astronauts on social media, one person says: “I hope they are okay, the transition back must be so hard.”
Somebody else types: “I can imagine their bodies must feel so heavy after being in space for that long.”
“I am concerned for their health being back, surely the effects on their bodies will be long lasting,” a third responds.
“That must of been so terrifying for them, I hope they are getting all the help they need at this time,” a fourth penns.
Their bodies will have changed throughout their nine-month stay in space, straight after they landed safely the astronauts were whisked away to a hospital.
They will be in quarantine and have ongoing medical evaluations.
According to NASA, bones become about 1% less dense each month in space. Muscles also don’t need to work as hard in space, so decrease in size.
Both of these conditions could lead to more serious health complications, the astronauts exercised for two hours each day to maintain their health.
There is also a risk of a shortening in height on their return to Earth, due to the spinal column expanding in space, but will decompress on its return.
The astronauts may also experience vision issues along with ‘baby feet’ where the thick protective layer of skin on the foot returns to soft baby-like feet.
Experiencing the lack of gravity in space can also alter the brain, meaning it may take months for the astronauts to adjust back on Earth.
Baylor College’s Medicine Center says the astronauts’ skin could become more irritated due to their immune systems being ‘lowered’ while away in space.
Radiation is one of the key concerns for Williams and Wilmore’s health, with astronauts being exposed to 100 times more than those on Earth.
This can also increase the chances of getting cancer.
Not only is their physical health a worry, but also their mental health, they may experience ‘The Overview Effect.’
This term describes the cognitive shift and profound emotional experience reported by astronauts after viewing Earth from space.