Space adventure: Astronauts survive 10 months in weightlessness!

Space adventure: Astronauts survive 10 months in weightlessness!

Erde, Weltall - On May 31, 2025, the astronauts Sun will return to Earth after almost ten -month stays in space. The eight days long test flight with the Boeing Starliner, originally planned for June 2024, developed into an unexpected mission that was characterized by technical problems. Difficulties with the engines prevented the planned docking of the capsule, which led to a significant delay in return. Wilmore emphasizes how important docking is for return ability, and the crew was forced to switch to a SpaceX capsule for return flight.

The return was not only extended, but the two astronauts experienced numerous challenges during their mission. Despite these adverse circumstances, Williams and Wilmore never felt "abandoned". Both are certain that a committed floor team has continuously took care of them. They also report that regular physical exercises in weightlessness have returned fitter than ever. Wilmore emphasizes that he became more in space after the long time, while Williams describes the return to gravity as "painful but beautiful".

technical setbacks and their effects

The technical difficulties with which the Starliner mission was confronted are symptomatic of the challenges that can occur in the operation of space. Spiegel.de reports that the spacecaps even landed on board after the mission, but without astronaut. This raises questions about the reliability of the technology and shows that security always has to come first.

In addition, it is important to take into account the long -term effects of stay in space on the human body. According to a study by researchers from Germany, Canada and the USA, longer stays can irreparably damage the bone structure in “Nature Scientific Reports”. The results of the investigation on 17 astronauts showed that seven of them were not completely recovered twelve months after their return. The study proves that there is a loss of bone mass that is associated with early signs of osteoporosis and a higher risk of broken bones.

health risks in space

The knowledge of the health effects of longer stays in space are essential for planning future missions, especially when it comes to long -term stays on Mars or other sky bodies. Researchers emphasize that adapting training to the individual needs of astronauts as well as possible drug therapies, such as with bisphosphonates, could help minimize long -term damage. However, the effects of these drugs in microgravity are still unclear and require further research.