SUNITA WILLIAMS CLEARS UP WEIGHT LOSS RUMORS FROM THE ISS
Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams are both Navy Veterans and astronauts for NASA. They are now in a bit of a pickle—their eight-day mission is now going to last until at least February 2025. The reason Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams are stuck in space boils down to the fact that it’s still really hard to send people to and from the heavens. NASA was hopeful that their return could be made possible on the Boeing spacecraft; however, this didn’t pan out. The two have already been aboard the International Space Station for months, and now, Williams is showing a concerning amount of weight loss. Space is harder on women than men but fortunately, NASA has been working with her to help ensure she has a healthy stay.
Why Is Sunita Williams Stuck in Space?
Sunita Williams is stuck in space with fellow Navy Vet Butch Wilmore. This is because Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft had issues in June. The Boeing Starliner stuck in space with two astronauts continues to make headlines, as more information comes out.
Wilmore and Williams were traveling as a part of NASA's Commercial Crew Capsule program. Suddenly, helium leaks and five thruster failures added more than enough complications to their mission. Since then, many of the issues have been fixed and NASA and Boeing both say the Starliner is safe. However, the exact cause of the issues remains unclear. This is why Wilmore and Williams remain suspended in the stars.
Everyone was looking to repair the Boeing Starliner to find the root of its problems, along with exploring other options. Notably, the main alternative option for bringing Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams home was to use the SpaceX Dragon Crew-9 spaceship that launched in September 2024.
SpaceX’s Dragon Crew-9 Mission
The mission was going to be a big one for SpaceX regardless; however, its September run to the ISS is taking on even more notoriety as it will serve as a taxi for the stranded Wilmore and Williams.
Not only is the company using Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC 40) at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station but NASA astronaut and active duty U.S. Space Force Colonel Nick Hague is scheduled to make the trip.
This is a first for any active-duty Guardian; however, it’s unclear if Col. Hague is now going to be cut seeing as the mission to bring home Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams from being stuck in space requires additional room.
Reasonably, bringing both astronauts home through SpaceX’s Dragon Crew-9 will still mean a much longer stay for both affected parties. The flight home using a SpaceX spacecraft means Williams and Wilmore won’t make it back until February or March 2025.
Why Sunita Williams Could Possibly Be Losing Weight
Overwhelmingly, if you’re going to speak about someone’s body, the best thing you can do is say nothing at all.
However, when it comes to Sunita Williams being stuck in space, some of the latest photos have shown just how many calories one needs for space travel.
Women need about 1,600 to 2,400 calories per day to maintain their weight. In space, this number goes up to around 3,500 to 4,000 calories per day.
So, when Williams was shown to have lost a noticeable amount of weight, people were concerned about the transformation.
The good news is that NASA and everyone involved are aware of the situation but not worried.
Of course, they’re monitoring it but astronauts are checked regularly by medical tests and so far, Williams seems to be in good health.
The challenge now is to have Williams consume enough calories to maintain if not gain weight in space, but there are a few factors in place:
- Space travel and missions mean limited supplies. Having extra bodies up there for this long is a rationing challenge in its own way, though these professionals remain prepared.
- Just because you’re in space doesn’t mean you get to float around all day. Astronauts work out over two hours per day.
This is a unique case, showcasing some of the out-of-sight, out-of-mind variables that go into putting humans into space.
Furthermore, despite the concerns from everyone, the photos circulating showing the weight loss are not entirely current. NASA has been aware of the issue and working with Williams to help her while she awaits her ride home.
Williams Addresses the Media About Weight Loss Rumors
Dr. James Polk, NASA's medical chief has extinguished the medical rumors about Suni William's declining health, making a statement that those on board are "in good health."
Rumors about William's declining health began after she was interviewed by Dr. Vinay Gupta, and Seattle pulmonologist, who made comments about her visible weight loss.
Rumors have been flying around regarding the status of her health since then, but Dr. Polk explained that Williams and the crew are doing fine physically.
Williams has since addressed the rumors stating, "There are a lot of changes that go on here... It's funny, I think there's some rumors around that I am losing weight and stuff... No, I am actually right at the same amount... we go weigh ourselves, we have a spring mass... Butch and I weigh ourselves the same way that I was when I got up here."
Sunita Williams went on to address the weight loss rumors in more detail in an interview with the New England Sports Network. The video can be watched here.
Butch Wilmore & Sunita Williams Being Stuck in Space is the Latest Boeing Blunder
High-profile crashes in 2018 and 2019 were bad enough. However, Boeing’s 2024 is one to forget in a world that documents everything worth remembering.
The company is still part of an ongoing FAA investigation following the door of a Boeing 737-9 MAX Aircraft coming detached from an airplane mid-flight. Now, Boeing's Starliner has stuck its astronauts on the ISS. Now, one of the U.S. military’s largest aerospace contractors has egg on its face yet again.
The reality of the situation is that while Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams remain stuck in space, thanks to increased innovation in space travel, a creative solution has emerged to bring back the brave souls that continue to explore locations beyond our world.
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