‘Can’t even lift a pencil’; biggest challenge for Sunitha and Butch isn’t space, it's returning home

CALIFORNIA: NASA astronaut Sunita Williams and her colleague Butch Wilmore are set to return after spending over eight months in space. The two, who have been in zero gravity on the International Space Station (ISS) since June last year, will face various physical challenges when they return to Earth. For example, it will be difficult for them to lift even a small pencil.

Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore went to the International Space Station on June 5, 2024 for an eight-day mission. However, due to a technical fault in Boeing's Starliner spacecraft, the two were unable to return to Earth on the expected day. With this, the two, who were stuck on the ISS, will reach Earth on March 19 in SpaceX's Dragon capsule.
The two will need a long time to adjust to Earth's gravity. They will also have to face a lot of discomfort. Butch Wilmore describes the challenges they will face when they return to Earth. 'Gravity will lower everything. Even your body fluids will feel the pressure difference. Even lifting a pencil will feel like a big workout,’ Butch said.

Elon Musk's SpaceX spacecraft for the mission to bring back Sunita and Butch Wilmore will launch on March 12. Sunita and Butch will reach Earth a week later, on March 19, ending the long wait. Sunita Williams, the present commander of the space station, will hand over the reins to the new commander of the Crew - 10 mission before undocking from the International Space Station in the Dragon capsule.