Produced by: Mohsin Shaikh
NASA’s decision to delay Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore’s return to Earth until March 2025 has left health experts deeply alarmed, warning of the dangers of prolonged space exposure.
Dr. John Jaquish, a biomedical engineer, warned in a Daily Mail report that Williams faces an “extreme risk of fragility fracture,” with predictions that she may not walk unaided upon return.
Psychiatrist Dr. Carole Liberman in the same report said Williams’ prolonged stay in space could lead to a psychological breakdown, amplifying physical health risks.
With Boeing’s Starliner grounded due to technical flaws, experts warn the astronauts’ extended isolation aboard the ISS could compound health risks beyond repair.
Originally meant to last just eight days, this mission has ballooned to 300 days, a duration experts say will leave permanent physical and mental scars.
Dr. Jaquish said Williams’ muscle deterioration in zero gravity could lead to organ failure, stating, “Her body is essentially breaking down.”
As microgravity erodes bone density, Williams’ ability to stand or walk upon her return is at critical risk, doctors claimed.
NASA studies show prolonged missions harden arteries, with Dr. Jaquish explaining that Williams faces heightened risks of heart attack and stroke.
While Dr. Vinay Gupta said astronauts are trained for contingencies, he warned, “No training can fully prepare the body for this prolonged onslaught.”