NASA astronaut Sunita Williams refutes health concerns during ISS mission

NASA astronaut Sunita Williams recently addressed speculation about her health while on the International Space Station (ISS) and pushed aside recent media claims about her well-being. In response to reports suggesting she looked “thin” as a result of an extended stay on the ISS, Williams clarified her status during a video interview on November 12, explaining that her weight has remained unchanged since her arrival in a orbit around the earth.

Routine exercises and physical adjustments

Williams, who commands Expedition 72 aboard the ISS, publicly responded to health concerns and indicated that any changes in her physical appearance are the result of rigorous exercise routines and not a decline in health. Like all astronauts on extended missions, so has she next an intense exercise regimen designed to counteract the loss of muscle and bone density that commonly accompanies prolonged exposure to microgravity. Williams stated that her routine consists of running on a treadmill, riding a stationary bike and lifting weights. It’s a form of exercise that has led to an increase in muscle mass, especially in her thighs and glutes, while keeping her overall weight constant.

NASA’s crew health statement

NASA had previously denied the reports and emphasized that Williams and her fellow crew members, including NASA astronaut Butch Wilmore, were in good health. Williams and Wilmore, who arrived at the ISS on June 6 aboard Boeing’s Starliner capsule, were initially scheduled to fly a 10-day mission as part of the Crew Flight Test program. Technical problems with Starliner’s thrusters led NASA to extend their stay on the ISS until early 2025, when they are expected to return with SpaceX’s Crew-9 mission astronauts.

Current ISS crew status

The current ISS team, led by Williams, consists of three NASA astronauts and three Russian cosmonauts, all working together despite recent media scrutiny. Williams assured viewers that her health and morale remain robust as the crew performs essential research and maintenance tasks in the orbiting laboratory, demonstrating NASA’s confidence in their well-being during longer missions.