NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry "Butch" Wilmore are now going to return to Earth after being stranded in the International Space Station (ISS) for nine months. Let us tell you that Williams and Wilmore will land on Earth on March 19 or 20 (Sunita William Returning To Earth). However, the difficulties of their journey will not end here. 

After being away from Earth's gravity for such a long time, returning back to Earth can prove to be quite challenging for both of them. Let's find out what problems Sunita Williams and Barry "Butch" Wilmore may face after returning to Earth.  

learning to walk again

"I have been here for so long that I don't remember how to walk. I have neither walked, nor sat, nor lay down," Sunita Williams said in a recent interaction with students. So when Williams and Wilmore land on Earth on March 19 or 20, they will not be sent straight home. Instead, they will undergo a very intensive medical examination, so that the effects of long-term weightlessness can be assessed. 

Doctors estimate that it may take up to six weeks for astronauts to regain their strength. Let us tell you that due to living in microgravity, the muscles and bones of astronauts become weak. Therefore, it takes time for them to regain their strength after returning to Earth. 

Danger from radiation

Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore may have to face the risk of radiation exposure in addition to muscle weakness due to staying in space for such a long time. Without the protective atmospheric layer of the Earth, cosmic radiations can enter the bodies of astronauts. This increases the risk of long-term health problems like cancer. Special medical checkups are also needed to detect this problem. 

Challenges after returning to Earth

After staying away from the gravity of the earth, astronauts may face many problems related to daily life upon returning, such as-

• Weakening of the heart- Due to the absence of gravity, the heart does not have to work hard to pump blood in space. In such a situation, astronauts may have heart-related problems after returning to Earth. 
• Difficulty in maintaining balance: After returning to Earth's gravity, astronauts may face problems in maintaining balance, standing and walking again.

Therefore, Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore will be retrained to deal with these challenges after returning to Earth. Only then will they be ready to live a normal life on Earth.