Spaced Out

NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry ‘Butch’ Wilmore took off for the International Space Station on June 5, aboard a Boeing Starliner spacecraft, — to visit the orbiting lab for about a week and return in mid-June. But thruster failures and helium leaks on Boeing’s new Starliner capsule prompted NASA and Boeing to keep them up longer. They are now staring at an eight month long stay in space, with possible return only next year!

Will it impact their health?

Prolonged stay can wreak havoc on one’s well being

When Russian Cosmonaut Valeri Polyakov returned to earth after spending 437 days and 18 hours in space — he experienced a decline in mood and a feeling of increased workload during the first few weeks of space flight and return to earth. The record holder for the longest single stay in space did not suffer from any prolonged impairments of cognitive functions.

On the other hand, US astronaut Scott Kelly, who spent 340 days in space and returned to earth in March 2016, found himself stumbling as his legs learned to walk again. His joints and muscles felt crushed with the pressure of gravity.

Extended space mission could take a heavy toll on mind as well as body, points out top neurologist Dr Sudhir Kumar. “The psychological impact is mostly due to loneliness. Astronauts need to spend several weeks with only one person without any contact with other human beings or other forms of life,” he says.

Symptoms can range from mild irritability, sleep disturbance due to disruption in circadian rhythm to headache, anxiety, fear and depression. “This can result in insomnia and fragmented sleep, resulting in irritability, fatigue, body pain and headache.”

Physical changes also occur while in space for long, which can have psychological impact too. “Without the constant pull of gravity, fluids shift towards the upper body causing facial puffiness and congestion.

Muscle atrophy (thinning of muscles) and osteoporosis (loss in bone mineral density) are other adverse effects of prolonged stay in space,” says Dr Sudhir Kumar.

The good thing is that astronauts are screened for their psychological well being and their risk of developing psychiatric illness in future.

“Only those who are psychologically fit are chosen for space missions. Therefore, the risk of psychological illness is less among those who are stuck in space,” he says.

SpaceX Crew Dragon craft

At a recent news briefing, NASA officials said no firm decisions had been made when it comes to next steps. Steve Stich, manager of NASA’s Commercial crew program said that “requisite planning has been done to make sure we have other options open.”

One potential option under consideration is to attach the two astronauts to a mission by a SpaceX Crew Dragon craft, that is scheduled to launch in September, and get Sunita and Barry to to earth with that mission in February 2025.

This plan would mean the stranded astronauts would spend more than eight months aboard the International Space Station. Recently, Nasa used a SpaceX rocket to deliver more food and supplies to the ISS, including extra clothes for the two astronauts.

Last month, in a short press briefing, the pair said they were “absolutely confident” in the return trip and Starliner was “truly impressive.”

All will be well

Among those keenly following every development surrounding Sunita and Barry’s rescue from space is Dr. G. Satheesh Reddy, former Chairman of DRDO. “Efforts are being made to send a vehicle in the coming days to bring the astronauts back. I am sure they (NASA) are doing all they can to get them back at the earliest,” says Dr Reddy.

The former Scientific Adviser to the Defence Minister says Sunita is a very experienced Astronaut. “She knows how to manage and all necessary guidance must be going from the space centres on earth,” says Dr Reddy, former Secretary DD R&D and lifetime member of The Space Society of Mechanical Engineers (SSME).

Others in space

Sunita Williams and Barry are not the only Astronauts who will be spending a long duration in space. Last year, US astronaut Frank Rubio returned from the ISS after 371 days, the longest time an American has spent in space.

More recently, in February 2020, Astronaut Christina Koch completed 328 days in space, the longest single mission by a woman. And just last March, Mark Vande Hei and Pyotr Dubrov wrapped up an ISS stay that lasted just 355 days.

DNA damage & Cancer

Astronauts like Sunita Williams may experience various orthopaedic complications during extended space missions due to microgravity’s effects on the body, says Dr Sandeep Sriram, Consultant Hand & Microvascular Reconstructive Surgeon, Kamineni Hospitals King Koti. He says some possible health effects include:

a) Muscle atrophy — Prolonged microgravity exposure leading to muscle loss, particularly in the lower body.

b) Bone loss: Microgravity causes bones to lose density, increasing the risk of osteoporosis and fractures.

c) Spinal disc compression: Microgravity can cause spinal discs to expand, leading to back pain and potential herniation.

d) Joint pain and inflammation: Fluid shifts in microgravity can cause joint swelling and pain.

e) Balance and coordination issues: Prolonged microgravity exposure affects the vestibular system, leading to balance problems.

“Astronauts may experience changes in walking patterns due to muscle and bone adaptations. There could be Orthostatic intolerance as well. Upon returning to Earth, astronauts may experience dizziness and lightheadedness due to blood pressure changes,” explains Dr Sandeep.

Among other things, the astronauts run the risk of Radiation exposure. “Prolonged space missions increase exposure to cosmic radiation, potentially causing DNA damage and cancer risk.”

Vision impairment

Fluid shifts in microgravity can cause vision changes and eye problems. “NASA and other space agencies closely monitor astronauts’ health and take counter-measures to mitigate these effects, ensuring a safe and successful mission,” says Dr Sandeep.

“Zero gravity or Microgravity is the main culprit Normally bones maintain shape and posture. In microgravity neither are required — there is no resistance as objects are weightless. Astronauts can loose upto 1% bone density in the first month and there after at a rapid pace. Loss of calcium and phosphorus deposits can lead to fragility fracture and permanent changes in the shape of bones like vertebrae” — Dr Sai Lakshman, KIMS, Kondapur

Without the constant pull of gravity, fluids shift towards the upper body causing facial puffiness and congestion. Muscle atrophy (thinning of muscles) and osteoporosis (loss in bone mineral density) are other adverse effects of prolonged stay in space” — Dr Sudhir Kumar, neurologist

Williams, 58, is a retired Navy helicopter pilot, while Wilmore is a former fighter jet pilot who has been to space twice before. “We’ve been thoroughly busy up here, integrated right into the crew,” Williams told reporters during a recent briefing call. “It feels like coming back home. It feels good to float around. It feels good to be in space and work up here with the International Space Station team,” she said.

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