Sunita Williams' space ordeal: Astronaut's race against time
NASA astronaut Sunita Williams is experiencing health concerns after being stranded in space after she left Earth onboard the Boeing Starliner for an eight-day trip in June.
NASA now estimates that Williams and her fellow astronaut, Barry Wilmore, may not return until February 2025.
Amid growing concerns about the astronauts' health, alarming images of a gaunt-faced Sunita Williams have emerged from the International Space Station (ISS), as she grapples with a health crisis following a prolonged stay in space.
Doctors have expressed concern over the photos, noting that the "natural stresses of living at such a high altitude" are taking a toll on the astronauts' bodies.
The astronaut's sunken cheeks suggest they've been eating less for some time, likely because their body is expending more energy to adjust to the absence of gravity and maintain warmth.
In the harsh and cold environment of space, astronauts must exercise for about 2.5 hours daily to prevent muscle and bone loss.
This concerning development comes on the heels of another NASA crew member's recent hospitalization, highlighting the significant health risks linked to extended space missions.
NASA spokesperson Jimi Russell assured, "All astronauts on the ISS undergo routine medical checks, are closely monitored by flight surgeons, and are in good health."