BAKU, AZERBAIJAN - NOVEMBER 12: NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Nick Hague are displayed on a screen as they speak to attendees during the opening ceremony of the World Leaders Climate Action Summit on day two of the UNFCCC COP29 Climate Conference at Baku Stadium on November 12, 2024 in Baku, Azerbaijan. The COP29, which is running from November 11 through 22, is bringing together stakeholders, including international heads of state and other leaders, scientists, environmentalists, indigenous peoples representatives, activists and others to discuss and agree on the implementation of global measures towards mitigating the effects of climate change. According to the United Nations, countries made no progress over the last year in reducing global emissions from the burning of fossil fuels. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)
NASA is now tracking weight changes in astronaut Butch Wilmore, who, like colleague Sunita Williams, is experiencing body mass loss during an unexpectedly prolonged mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Initially set for just an eight-day stay, the astronauts have been in orbit for 160 days following technical malfunctions with their Boeing Starliner capsule.
Extended stay leads to health concerns
KOROLEV, RUSSIA – OCTOBER 25: In this handout image provided by NASA, family of the newly arrived International Station Expedition 33/34 crew members, Russian cosmonaut Oleg Novitskiy, front left, NASA astronaut Kevin Ford, front center, and Russian cosmonaut Evgeny Tarelkin, front right, talk via phone to the crew from the Russian Mission Control Center shortly after the three joined Flight Engineer Aki Hoshide of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, back left, Expedition 33 Commander Sunita Williams of NASA, back center, and Yuri Malenchenko of the Russian Federal Space Agency October 25, 2012 in Korolev, Russia. The Soyuz TMA-06M with Expedition 33/34 crew members, NASA astronaut Kevin Ford and Russian cosmonauts Oleg Novitskiy and Evgeny Tarelkin launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan two days ago. The Soyuz crew members were greeted by Expedition 33 Commander Sunita Williams of NASA and Flight Engineers Aki Hoshide of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency and Yuri Malenchenko of the Russian Federal Space Agency, who have lived in the orbital laboratory since July. (Photo by Bill Ingalls/NASA via Getty Images)
Wilmore, 61, a former college athlete weighing over 210 pounds before the mission, is being monitored for weight loss, although his initial higher mass means changes are less noticeable than Williams’. Despite her reassurance that her visibly thinner frame is due to the fluid shifts caused by zero gravity, NASA continues to keep a close watch on both astronauts’ health.
NASA emphasizes routine medical evaluations
NASA officials have underscored that both astronauts remain in good health, supported by dedicated flight surgeons conducting regular check-ups. The organization has urged caution among employees regarding the dissemination of sensitive health information, referencing applicable privacy laws.
SpaceX return mission planned for February
IN SPACE – JULY 27: In this handout from NASA, (L to R) NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Joe Acaba and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Aki Hoshide, all Expedition 32 flight engineers, pose in the International Space Station’s Cupola following the rendezvous with the unpiloted Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV-3) July 27, 2012 in Space. (Photo by NASA via Getty Images)
Both astronauts are expected to return to Earth via a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule in February. Until then, NASA is actively ensuring their well-being and addressing public concerns following previous medical incidents involving ISS astronauts, where one required overnight care post-mission.
