A NASA astronaut stranded in space until next year has spoken out after new photos sparked some health concerns from people on the ground.
Sunita ‘Suni’ Williams, 59, and Barry ‘Butch’ Wilmore, 61, were initially launched into space from Cape Canaveral Space Force on June 5.
It was meant to be an eight-day mission, but it has been anything but.
As the Boeing Starliner Calypso, which the astronauts were on, approached the International Space Station (ISS), the capsule’s thrusters malfunctioned.
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While it was hoped the two astronauts would be able to return to Earth pretty sharpish, a NASA investigation found it was too dangerous for Williams and Wilmore to return onboard the Starliner as originally planned.
That was five months ago, and the pair have remained on the ISS ever since. Williams and Wilmore are expected to hitch a ride back on the SpaceX Crew-9 in February 2025.
The astronauts seem to be in good spirits, but recent images of them onboard the ISS sparked concern for Williams' health.
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After seeing snaps where the Ohio native and Wilmore tucked into pizza and packets of grilled peppers, pulmonologist Dr Vinay Gupta claimed she was likely experiencing a ‘significant’ calorie deficit, but her life isn’t in any immediate danger.
"What you're seeing there in that picture is somebody that I think is experiencing the natural stresses of living at a very high altitude, even in a pressurized cabin, for extended periods," he told the Daily Mail.
"Her cheeks appear a bit sunken - and usually it happens when you've had sort of total body weight loss. I think what I can discern by her face and her cheeks being sunken in is that [she] has probably been at a significant [calorie] deficit for a while."
The expert added: "But I don't think you can look at that photo and say she has sort of healthy body weight. There's just things that the human body cannot adjust to, and one of which is, you know, she's probably losing more calories than she's intaking."
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However, in a statement provided to LADbible Group, a NASA spokesperson said: "All NASA astronauts aboard the International Space Station undergo routine medical evaluations, have dedicated flight surgeons monitoring them, and are in good health."
Williams has since spoken out about the speculation surrounding her health, claiming that she's actually put on muscle.
Speaking to New England Sports Network yesterday (November 12), she said: "My thighs are a little bit bigger, my butt is a little bit bigger. We do a lot of squats.
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"I think things shift around quite a bit, you probably heard of a fluid shift.
"Folks in space you know, their heads look a little bit bigger because the fluid evens out along the body."
Williams went on to say she is the same weight now as when she was launched into space earlier this year.
"There’s a lot of changes that go on up here," she added.
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"But it’s funny, I think there’s some rumors around out there that I’m losing weight and stuff."
Williams then clarified: "I’m actually right at the same amount."
Callum Jones