NASA astronauts are expected to feel 'disoriented,' 'dizzy' after returning to Earth. What happens to human bodies after being in space, explained.

Yahoo! News - Mar 18th, 2025
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NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore, along with two other astronauts, returned to Earth after an unexpectedly extended 286-day mission aboard the International Space Station. Initially planned for just eight days, their prolonged stay was concluded with a journey back on a SpaceX capsule, landing off the coast of Florida. The astronauts are expected to be recovered from the capsule via medical stretchers, a standard precaution due to the physiological impacts of long-duration spaceflight on human bodies.

The mission highlights the physical and psychological challenges faced by astronauts during extended stays in space. NASA's research indicates that microgravity can lead to muscle and bone loss, vision problems, and other health issues, though the astronauts are not anticipated to suffer long-term effects. Psychological effects, such as disorientation and stress due to confined spaces, also pose significant challenges. The story underscores the importance of ongoing research into mitigating these effects, as future missions may involve even longer durations in space.

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RATING

7.6
Fair Story
Consider it well-founded

The article provides a comprehensive overview of the physiological and psychological effects of prolonged space travel on astronauts, supported by credible sources such as NASA. It accurately conveys the challenges faced by astronauts and the standard protocols in place for their health and safety. However, the article could benefit from a more balanced perspective by including additional viewpoints and discussing the successes in mitigating these challenges. The reliance on a single source limits the depth of the narrative, and the lack of transparency in methodology and source attribution could be improved. Overall, the article is timely and relevant, capturing public interest in space exploration, but it could enhance engagement and impact by incorporating interactive elements and addressing more controversial aspects of the topic.

RATING DETAILS

9
Accuracy

The article largely reports accurate information about the effects of prolonged space travel on astronauts, as supported by NASA's research and public records. The claim that astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore stayed in space for 286 days is precise and aligns with NASA mission data. The report on physiological changes, such as fluid shifts, bone density loss, and vision issues, is well-documented in scientific literature. The article also correctly notes the standard protocol of using stretchers for returning astronauts, which is a precautionary measure widely practiced. However, while the article mentions the psychological effects of long-duration space missions, it could have provided more detailed evidence or studies to substantiate these claims further.

7
Balance

The article primarily focuses on the physiological and psychological effects of long-term space travel, presenting a detailed picture of the challenges astronauts face. However, it could have benefited from including perspectives on the technological and logistical aspects of such missions, as well as comments from experts outside NASA to provide a broader viewpoint. The emphasis is heavily on the challenges, without much discussion of the successes or advancements made in mitigating these issues, which could provide a more balanced view.

8
Clarity

The article is well-written, with clear and concise language that effectively communicates the complex subject matter of space travel's impact on human health. The structure is logical, progressing from the astronauts' mission details to the physiological and psychological effects of space travel. However, the article could improve by providing more context or definitions for technical terms to aid readers unfamiliar with space science.

8
Source quality

The article references NASA as the primary source, which is a highly credible and authoritative institution in space exploration. The inclusion of statements from NASA's medical officer and references to NASA's Human Research Program adds to the reliability of the information. However, the article does not mention any other sources or experts, which could have enriched the narrative and provided additional layers of credibility. The reliance on a single source limits the depth of the perspective provided.

6
Transparency

The article provides a clear description of the effects of space travel on the human body, citing NASA's research and official statements. However, it lacks transparency in terms of the methodology used to gather this information or any potential conflicts of interest. The absence of detailed references or links to the original studies or NASA reports means readers must take the claims at face value without the opportunity to verify the information independently.

Sources

  1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_adaptation_syndrome
  2. https://people.com/how-nasa-astronauts-might-feel-when-they-return-to-earth-11698444
  3. https://www.livescience.com/space/space-exploration/stranded-nasa-astronauts-will-be-carried-away-on-stretchers-after-return-from-space-heres-why
  4. https://science.howstuffworks.com/weightlessness.htm
  5. https://ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/20090004998/downloads/20090004998.pdf