Invariably, despite them doing all the right things (which I know they are) you're going to see a decrease in muscle mass and strength, no question.
Boy if that's not a little embarrassing
It's going to be space radiation exposure that's going to be the big limiting factor for how well astronauts do or how long they're going to be able to actually be in space,
Both of them are not inexperienced, they are familiar with the operations on board [the ISS],
If there are, all of a sudden, two persons more, they are not running short of water, oxygen or food immediately,
When they come back, they [can't] go on the dance floor, like anyone else who's been in weightlessness for many months,
That's what all of that is about: Sparing them from those really hazardous late effects and some very acute effects,
Radiation exposure really is very damaging to our DNA,
The long-term health outcome from these changes is unknown but actively being investigated,
Crews have previously spent longer durations in space, and Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore’s performance after their return is expected to be consistent with established norms,
There is no reason to think their muscles will not be able to hold them up... on the ISS, they have many ways to exercise,
They are professional astronauts... they are selected not just because they are physically fit but also because they are emotionally fit,
The difference is... when you spend this much time being weightless, your ability to orient for what is 'up' and 'down' is compromised because you never had to use these tools of the inner ear to establish 'up' and 'down' in space. Now I haven't been in space... but I have spoken to astronauts, friends of mine, who have spent a lot of time there, and they say typically they will recover within a week
I’m the same weight that I was when I got up here.
There's nothing permanent about what they've done, but they have to be very targeted about what they're doing from an exercise and nutritional standpoint to get back there.
The IV in her wrist is most likely for rehydration and electrolyte balance
I don't think people realize that you need gravity to exercise your muscles, and if you don't have gravity, your muscles have nothing to have resistance against.
Sunita Williams' visibly thin wrists could indicate muscular atrophy, particularly in the forearm muscles, which are less used in space.
That amount of time in space is crushing.
While great strides have been made in space-friendly food, sustaining on that diet for a very long time is likely not going to provide your body with optimal nutrition that you'd get from eating a more varied diet on Earth.