After spending an unexpected nine months aboard the ISS, astronauts Barry Wilmore and Sunita Williams returned to Earth on March 18, 2025. Originally launched in June 2024 for an eight-day mission, technical issues extended their stay drastically.
The pair returned via SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft and were carried off on stretchers, highlighting the toll of prolonged space travel. Reacclimating to Earth’s gravity poses serious health challenges, including muscle atrophy, “chicken legs,” and increased cancer risks. They’re also adjusting to oxygen-rich air and changes in circulation.
NASA experts have raised concerns about Spaceflight Associated Neuro-Ocular Syndrome (SANS), a condition caused by fluid buildup affecting the eyes and potentially altering appearance. While some effects may reverse, others could be permanent due to their lengthy mission.
Back on Earth, Wilmore and Williams are undergoing medical evaluations at NASA’s Johnson Space Center, where their physical transformations and possible long-term health impacts are under close review.