(Picture: AFP or licensors)
Two US astronauts stranded in space for nine months may struggle to walk when they finally return to Earth due to a skin condition.
It’s likely Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore have developed something known as ‘baby feet’, where the soles of an astronaut’s feet become soft like a baby’s after months in space.
The phenomenon can make it very painful to walk when back on Earth until the skin has hardened up again.
The NASA astronaut’s mission to the International Space Station was supposed to last eight days, but due to a technical issue with their space ship the pair have been stranded there for nine months.
They’re now scheduled to potentially return next week.
Why do astronauts develop baby feet?
When we walk around on earth our feet are subjected to constant pressure and friction, which makes the skin on our soles thicker.
(Picture: AP)
This in turn protects the feet from general wear and tear and, to an extent, feeling discomfort and pain.
But as there’s no gravity in space, astronauts’ feet are no longer subject to any kind of pressure.
‘After six months to a year, you gradually lose the thick, calloused skin on your feet,’ retired NASA astronaut, Leroy Chiao, NewsNation Prime explained.
Once the harder skin peels off, the feet are usually left very soft and tender he said, adding: ‘You kind of have baby feet when you come back.’
Until the feet build up hard skin again, which can take from a few weeks to a couple of months, walking can be uncomfortable and even agony.
What other side affects do astronauts face when they return to earth?
Leroy said astronauts experience ‘significant dizziness’ and their ‘balance system is disrupted’ when back on Earth.
‘You may feel nauseous and slightly unwell,’ the former NASA astronaut’ added.
‘To me, it feels kind of like having the flu. It takes a couple of weeks to get back to normal.’
Another retired NASA astronaut, Terry Virts, told the publication he felt two things, ‘really heavy and really, really dizzy’.
He also said he struggled to regain his sense of balance.
(Picture: Reuters)
Other physical side effects of spending a long time in space include muscle loss and decreased bone density, which can increase the risk of fractures.
An astronaut’s heart can shrink slightly because the body needs to make less effort to pump blood around and their vision can be affected due to fluid shifting around in a different way and putting pressure on the optic nerve.
Prolonged isolation and confinement in a small space can also have psychological impacts say experts, which can lead to anxiety and depression.
How do astronauts recover
After returning to Earth, astronauts undergo a physical and psychological evaluation, which is followed by extensive rehabilitation.
This includes strength training, cardiovascular exercises, and psychological support.
Most astronauts fully recover, but some can suffer long-term effects.
When will Suni and Butch return to Earth?
Suni and Butch were set to finally return to Earth tomorrow, but the four-person crew that will relieve them had their take-off on Wednesday night delayed due to a ‘ground issue’, said NASA.
Instead the Crew-10 flight, part of a routine ISS staff rotation and jointly operated by NASA and SpaceX, took off from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida last night.
They will spend a few days acclimating before Suni and Butch will hand over the reigns and return home.
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