After a prolonged 286-day mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS), NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore have returned to Earth and are set to embark on a comprehensive 45-day rehabilitation program to readjust to Earth's gravity.
The rehabilitation regimen, administered by Astronaut Strength, Conditioning, and Rehabilitation (ASCR) specialists, will focus on post-flight reconditioning and begins on the day of the landing. It will continue for 45 days, every day for two hours and seven days a week.
The programme is designed to address the physiological challenges posed by extended exposure to microgravity. The program is structured into three distinct phases:
- Phase 1: Focuses on ambulation, flexibility, and muscle strengthening to counteract muscle atrophy and joint stiffness resulting from prolonged weightlessness.
- Phase 2: Introduces proprioceptive exercises and cardiovascular conditioning to enhance balance, coordination, and cardiovascular health, which are often compromised after extended missions.
- Phase 3: The longest phase emphasises functional development, tailoring exercises to simulate daily activities and mission-specific tasks, ensuring astronauts regain operational readiness.
Each phase is customized to the individual astronaut's needs, considering factors such as pre-flight health status, in-flight experiences, and personal recreational interests. The goal is to restore, and potentially enhance, their pre-flight physical condition.
NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, who launched aboard the Starliner Spacecraft in June 2024, returned to Earth after spending nine months in space, more than the average six month-rotation on the International Space Station (ISS). They splashed down safely in a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft off the coast of Tallahassee, Florida, in the Gulf of America, on Wednesday morning.
Extended exposure to microgravity leads to various physiological changes, including muscle atrophy, bone density loss, and fluid redistribution. The 45-day rehabilitation program is crucial for mitigating these effects, facilitating a smooth transition back to Earth's gravity, and ensuring the astronauts' long-term health and mission readiness.