Female NASA astronaut Sunita Williams faces serious health risks

INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION: The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) astronaut Sunita Williams and astronaut Barry Wilmore will remain on the International Space Station (ISS) until early 2025.

The delay extended their mission far beyond the initial eight-day plan, due to technical difficulties with Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft.

Read more: NASA’s Starliner mission faces delays; crew may return on SpaceX’s Crew Dragon

This has led to concerns about the health effects of prolonged microgravity exposure, particularly for NASA astronaut Sunita Williams.

Recent studies have revealed significant impacts of microgravity on human physiology, including a condition referred to as space anemia. A research paper titled “Hemolysis contributes to anemia during long-duration space flight” was published in the Nature Medicine.

The research indicated that astronauts experience a decrease in red blood cell mass during extended missions. The study tracked 14 astronauts on six-month ISS missions and found elevated levels of red blood cell destruction, known as hemolysis, which continued even a year after their return to Earth.

Several factors contribute to the development of space anemia. In a microgravity environment, the body requires less effort to maintain blood circulation, leading to a reduction in red blood cell production.

The rate of red blood cell destruction also increases in space, resulting in a lower overall red blood cell count. Upon entering space, fluids shift towards the upper body, causing a temporary increase in blood volume.

However, this effect eventually diminishes, prompting the body to decrease red blood cell production.

The consequences of space anemia can be serious. Astronauts may suffer from fatigue and weakness as their bodies destroy red blood cells more rapidly than they can produce them.

Cognitive function and mental performance may also decline. Long-term exposure to microgravity can result in bone density loss, muscle atrophy, and changes in cardiovascular and visual health.

To address these health risks, NASA will monitor the astronauts closely. The space agency said it would conduct regular blood tests and ensure that the astronauts received proper nutrition and exercise.

Researchers are also investigating methods to mitigate the effects of microgravity on red blood cell production.

Williams and Wilmore launched on June 5 as part of the Starliner’s first crewed flight test, expecting to return within a week. However, the spacecraft faced multiple issues, including helium leaks and malfunctioning thrusters. This led to the decision to keep them aboard the ISS.

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson announced the extension on August 24, confirming that the Starliner will return without crew, emphasizing safety as the top priority.

Under the revised plan, the SpaceX Crew-9 mission is scheduled to launch in late September, carrying only two passengers instead of the originally intended four. In February, the SpaceX vehicle will return its own crew members along with Williams and Wilmore who are currently on the ISS.

Despite the challenges of an extended mission, Williams and Wilmore will join Expedition 71, the current crew of seven astronauts aboard the ISS. They will perform standard crew duties, including conducting spacewalks, maintaining the station, and participating in a rigorous schedule of scientific experiments.

NASA confirmed that the ISS had enough supplies to support the crew for the extended duration, with approximately four months’ worth of food and water available.

However, concerns persist regarding the astronauts’ health. An extended stay in microgravity can lead to rapid declines in muscle mass and bone density, similar to osteoporosis.

Without the constant force of gravity, astronauts might experience muscle atrophy and significant bone loss, sometimes losing up to one percent of bone mass each month.

Fluid redistribution can also cause facial swelling and reduced fluid volume in the legs, complicating cardiovascular function and blood pressure regulation.

Williams and Wilmore are also at risk of space anemia. Research showed that astronauts can destroy red blood cells at a rate 54 percent higher than during typical space missions. Long-term stays in space can also result in vision problems, such as Spaceflight-Associated Neuro-ocular Syndrome (SANS), where fluid shifts create pressure on the optic nerve, potentially affecting eyesight.

NASA has assured that the ISS has adequate resources to support the crew for the extended period, although the astronauts will need to share living space with the existing crew.

Read more: Collins Aerospace discusses exiting NASA spacesuit contract

The space station typically maintains a four-month supply of food and water, and recent resupply missions have brought additional provisions.

However, the astronauts’ personal belongings were removed to make room for a necessary pump to repair a malfunctioning toilet on the station.