NASA Astronaut Sunita Williams Struggles with Weight Loss in Space
- Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore have been on the ISS for 156 days due to a faulty spacecraft.
- Williams is reportedly experiencing significant weight loss and is struggling to maintain the necessary caloric intake.
- NASA assures that Williams is in good health, but they are prioritizing her weight stabilization.
NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore have been on the International Space Station (ISS) for over five months, far exceeding their initial 10-day mission. Concerns have arisen regarding Williams' health due to rapid weight loss, as she appears 'gaunt' and has 'sunken' cheeks in recent photographs. NASA maintains that Williams is in good health and undergoing regular medical evaluations despite her weight loss. The astronaut is reportedly struggling to meet the high-caloric intake required in space, approximately 3,500 to 4,000 calories daily. Factors such as increased calorie expenditure in a microgravity environment, along with exercise regimens to counteract muscle and bone loss, exacerbate the situation. Additionally, the unique challenges of living in space affect women differently than men, necessitating targeted support for her. Although Williams faces significant health challenges, there is currently no evidence that her condition will delay her planned return to Earth in approximately three months aboard SpaceX's Crew-9 Dragon capsule. This mission is an extension of her original duration, but it will not set a record for the longest ISS stay by astronauts.