Sunita Williams & Butch Wilmore Stuck In Space - What Are Their Families Saying?

On June 5, astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore boarded the Boeing Starliner for an eight-day space test mission. Two months later, the duo still hasn't returned. Speculations about them being stuck in space arose, which have since been debunked by NASA, who claim that the astronauts' return to Earth has only been delayed.

After their arrival at the International Space Station (ISS), the Starliner that took the astronauts there reportedly underwent helium leaks and thruster problems, raising concerns regarding the safety of the return flight. If NASA is not able to fix these issues, then the Starliner will return to Earth empty. Williams and Wilmore will subsequently fly back to Earth on the SpaceX spacecraft, scheduled to return in February 2025. However, NASA has yet to confirm the means of the astronauts' return.

How are the astronauts' families reacting?

Amidst this stressful time, Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore's families and loved ones are waiting eagerly for their safe return to Earth. Butch Wilmore's wife, Deanna Wilmore said that the family doesn't really expect him back until next year, by February or March, as reported by Knoxville, Tenn. TV Station WVLT.

“He just takes it knowing the Lord's in control and that since the Lord's in control of it, he's content where he is,” she told WVLT-TV. “You just sort of roll with it and expect the unexpected.” ''It is so cool. He gives us a lot of Earth views. I especially like seeing the sunset." Butch's 19-year-old daughter Daryn said, who he video chats with on a regular basis.

According to a report by the Wall Street Journal, Sunita Williams' husband, Michael, is not worried about his wife. He said that space and the ISS are her ''happy place''.

Health risks

There is no doubt that spending prolonged periods of time in space can have side effects, especially on health and the body. Sunita Williams is reportedly already facing symptoms of Spaceflight Associated Neuro-ocular Syndrome (SANS), a condition that affects the eyes and brain after spending time in microgravity conditions.

As per the Times of India, the condition is identified by changes in vision and structural changes in the eyes, in addition to increased intracranial pressure.

It occurs as bodily fluids such as cerebrospinal fluids move to the head in microgravity situations, putting pressure on the optic nerve. This could change the shape of the eyeball and flatten the posterior segment, leading to visual impairments.

Another cause of concern may be the decrease in muscle mass and bone density of the astronauts as they spend this time in space. This is a condition called spaceflight osteopenia.