A space expert unveiled a shocking truth about serious health issues that NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore stranded at the International Space Station (ISS) might face. Their eight-day mission turned into an eight-month nightmare tragically when they went to the ISS in June. Unfortunately, due to technical issues in the Boeing Starliner Calypso capsule, this pair had to stay in space.

THEY CAN BE RESCUED BY MARCH 12 However, this week NASA and Elon Musk’s SpaceX confirmed that Williams and Wilmore will return to Earth next month. If all goes smoothly, astronauts can be rescued as early as March 12. Living 400 km above sea level is not easy and can have serious effects on the human body. One of the health problems astronauts face on long-duration space missions is bone density loss due to microgravity.

OSTEOGENIC EFFECT OF 2% BONE MASS LOSS NASA revealed that astronauts can lose 1% to 2% of bone density in the hip and spinal areas per month. To put it in perspective, in postmenopausal women and elderly men on Earth, this rate ranges from 0.5% to 1% per year.

THEY MUST EXERCISE DAILY Therefore, to strengthen their bones, Williams and Wilmore must lift weights and do cardio exercises for at least two hours daily. Dr. Tess Morris-Paterson explained on UNILAD how serious of a risk bone density loss in space poses. According to Dr. Tess, our bones weaken during the first two weeks in space like when we lay in bed without getting up for two weeks on Earth. It could be an interesting experiment for those who want to try it out…

MAY HAVE LOST 12% OF BONE DENSITY After spending eight months on the ISS, Williams and Wilmore may have lost 12% of bone density in the most affected areas, their hips and spines. This makes their bones more prone to fractures, and the longer they stay in space, the higher the risk. Interestingly, when astronauts return to Earth, the bones that recover the slowest are those that did not bear body weight, and these bones can only return to pre-flight levels after six to twelve months. Therefore, daily exercise can save NASA astronauts from major troubles.