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Sunita Williams, who was stranded in space for nine months, has finally returned to Earth. SpaceX had launched a crew mission to bring her back. According to Indian time, Sunita Williams landed on Wednesday morning at around 3:30 AM. The spacecraft landed near the coast of Florida, USA. As soon as SpaceX’s Dragon capsule touched down on the sea surface near Florida, scientists and other personnel at NASA and SpaceX centers welcomed this success with applause.
Sunita Williams, along with Barry Wilmore and other astronauts, will first be taken to a lab near NASA’s Florida station, where they will undergo medical examinations. After that, Sunita will spend some time at a rehabilitation center, and once she receives clearance from scientists, she will be allowed to meet her family.
Sunita Williams Returns to Earth After Nine Months
After spending nine months in space, Sunita Williams has finally returned to Earth. After landing on the Florida coast, security checks were completed. The Dragon capsule was lifted from the sea and loaded onto a recovery ship.
Spending nine months in space affects the body significantly. In the absence of gravity, bone density decreases by approximately 1% per month, increasing the risk of fractures. Similarly, muscles—especially in the legs and back—become weak because the body does not experience weight. However, to minimize these effects, astronauts follow a strict daily exercise routine of about two and a half hours, including weightlifting, squats, and treadmill running.
Sunita May Take Time to Walk and Run Normally Again
Despite these precautions, it may still take Sunita some time to walk and run normally again. All astronauts returning from space often have slightly swollen faces. This happens because, in zero gravity, bodily fluids do not settle downward but instead move towards the head, causing facial puffiness.
Some astronauts may also experience vision problems. The pressure changes in space can affect the shape of the eye, leading to blurry vision upon return. Additionally, in a zero-gravity environment, the heart does not have to work as hard as it does on Earth. As a result, it shrinks slightly, and its pumping capacity decreases. This affects blood circulation, causing weakness and dizziness after returning to Earth.
