The release of new images featuring the astronauts currently stranded on the International Space Station (ISS) has raised concerns among observers on Earth.
Sunita ‘Suni’ Williams, 59, and Barry ‘Butch’ Wilmore, 61, embarked on their journey from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on June 5, anticipating an eight-day mission to the ISS.
However, the Boeing Starliner Calypso faced a setback as its thrusters malfunctioned while nearing the space station.
NASA’s investigation concluded that it was unsafe for Williams and Wilmore to return to Earth aboard the Starliner as originally scheduled on June 14.
The daring duo has since remained in orbit and are now expected to catch a ride back on the SpaceX Crew-9 in February 2025.
Although the astronauts appear to be in good spirits, recent images from the ISS have given rise to concern, particularly from a medical expert who expressed worries about Williams’ health.
The photos depict the Ohio native and Wilmore consuming items like uncooked pizza and packets of grilled peppers.
Dr. Vinay Gupta, a specialist, has noted that while the retired US Navy officer is likely facing a ‘significant’ calorie deficit, her condition is not life-threatening.
‘What you’re seeing there in that picture is somebody that I think is experiencing the natural stresses of living at a very high altitude, even in a pressurized cabin, for extended periods,” he told the Daily Mail.
“Her cheeks appear a bit sunken – and usually it happens when you’ve had sort of total body weight loss. I think what I can discern by her face and her cheeks being sunken in is that [she] has probably been at a significant [calorie] deficit for a while.”
After reviewing the photograph, Dr. Gupta concluded that the astronauts’ appearance does not indicate any major health risks or suggest that her ‘life’s in danger’.
“But I don’t think you can look at that photo and say she has sort of healthy body weight,” he explained. “There’s just things that the human body cannot adjust to, and one of which is, you know, she’s probably losing more calories than she’s intaking.’
He further mentioned that Williams’ body is likely exerting more effort for basic tasks because the oxygen level in the ISS is lower than at sea level.
In a September press conference from space, Williams shared that she and Wilmore missed their family and friends.
“I miss my two dogs, I miss my friends. But you know what? Like Butch said, there are so many people on Earth that are sending us messages,” she said.
“And it makes you feel just right at home with everybody when we’re able to have those conversations with our friends and family at home.”
Wilmore, on the other hand, described the mission as a ‘evolution’.
“We’ve been involved from the beginning through all the processes of assessing our spacecraft, Calypso,” he said. “And it was trying at times. There were some tough times all the way through.
“You certainly, as the commander and the PLT (pilot) of your spacecraft, you don’t want to see it go off without you, but that’s where we wound up.”
When questioned about feeling ‘let down’ when Starliner returned without its crew, Wilmore responded: “Let down? Absolutely not. Never entered my mind. I don’t think Suni’s either, until you mentioned it.
“Obviously, when you have issues like we’ve had, there’s some changes that need to be made. Boeing’s on board with that. We’re all on board with that.”
He added that they felt ‘very fortunate’ to have established a base at the Space Station and had the option to stay or return to Earth through ‘a different way.’