Astronauts Barry “Butch” Wilmore and Sunita “Suni” Williams returned to Earth on March 18, following a nine-month stay aboard the International Space Station (ISS). After splashing down in their spacecraft, recovery personnel carefully lifted them onto stretchers before transporting them to a nearby medical tent. While some observers found the scene worrisome, it was actually standard operating procedure for astronauts who have been in microgravity for an extended period.
The Physical Toll of Microgravity
Spending months in space might sound exciting, but it comes at a cost to the human body. Microgravity – where the force of gravity is much weaker than on Earth’s surface – causes noticeable changes in astronauts’ muscles, bones, and even their cardiovascular systems. According to NASA’s official Crew Health and Performance page, astronauts can lose up to 1-1.5% of their bone density per month during long-duration spaceflights if no countermeasures are taken. Although Wilmore and Williams exercised daily on the ISS to mitigate this loss, it’s still inevitable that they lose some bone mass.
In addition to bone density changes, the muscles also atrophy from underuse. On Earth, we constantly fight gravity – even standing up requires muscle engagement – but in microgravity, the body doesn’t need to support its own weight. The Human Research Program at NASA has extensively studied ways to reduce muscle atrophy, including rigorous exercise regimens aboard the ISS. Still, after nine months in orbit, astronauts often find walking on Earth difficult at first.
Why Stretchers?
Upon landing, whether by splashing down in a capsule off the coast of Florida or touching down in Kazakhstan (as with Soyuz missions), returning crew members frequently exit the spacecraft and are placed on reclined seats or stretchers. This is not because they are injured or ill, but rather because of:
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Balance and Vertigo Issues
Astronauts’ inner ears adjust to microgravity, so when they are suddenly thrust back into Earth’s gravity, they can experience strong dizziness or vertigo. The disorientation can make them unsteady on their feet, increasing the risk of a fall. To prevent accidental injuries, medical crews typically help them out of the spacecraft and onto stretchers for that initial period. -
Blood Pressure Readjustment
NASA research shows that long-duration spaceflight alters fluid distribution in the body. In microgravity, blood and other fluids shift toward the head, but once in Earth’s gravity, those fluids quickly move back down to the legs. This can result in lightheadedness or fainting (known as orthostatic intolerance). By placing astronauts in a horizontal or reclined position, medical teams ensure blood flow remains stable and reduce the likelihood of dizziness or collapse. -
Muscle Weakness
Even with two hours of daily exercise on the ISS, astronauts don’t use their leg and back muscles the same way they do on Earth. That can mean initial weakness upon re-exposure to gravity. Stretchers remove the immediate demand on weakened muscles, allowing astronauts to rest and slowly transition.
Historical Precedent
Seeing astronauts carried off on stretchers is nothing new. Crews returning aboard Russia’s Soyuz spacecraft (especially after longer stays on the ISS) are often carried into special reclining chairs or stretchers shortly after landing in the Kazakh steppe. In fact, Sunita Williams herself underwent a similar routine after her previous missions. Her NASA biography details her extensive stays on the ISS (Expeditions 14/15 and 32/33), when she also had to be helped out of the capsule to ensure a safe reintroduction to gravity.
Barry “Butch” Wilmore is similarly experienced in long-duration spaceflight. As noted in his own NASA biography, he has served as a pilot on Space Shuttle missions and was part of ISS Expeditions 41 and 42. Like many astronauts before him, Wilmore has faced the same microgravity-related health challenges that make using a stretcher post-landing the safest course of action.
The Rehabilitation Process
Once astronauts are out of the capsule, the real work of rehabilitation begins. Medical personnel give them immediate check-ups, monitoring vitals and administering IV fluids if needed. According to Space.com’s coverage of astronaut muscle loss, physical therapy, gentle reconditioning exercises, and balance training all help speed up the process of regaining strength and coordination. NASA’s approach has improved dramatically over the years, and many astronauts report feeling more comfortable on their feet just a few days after returning.
Astronauts also undergo various tests aimed at better understanding how microgravity affects the human body over time. These tests provide valuable data that can help NASA and other space agencies make future missions – including longer trips to the Moon, or even Mars – safer and more efficient. The Human Research Program regularly updates its findings to refine in-flight exercise regimes, nutritional plans, and post-flight recovery protocols.
Why It Looks Alarming (But Isn’t)
To the untrained eye, seeing Wilmore and Williams carried on stretchers after splashdown can appear serious. However, this post-landing protocol is akin to a professional athlete icing their knees after a big game: it’s a preventive measure and part of a well-orchestrated strategy to keep astronauts healthy in the crucial hours and days after they return to Earth’s gravity. Suni Williams herself has noted in past interviews that while it may look dramatic, it’s largely about ensuring that no immediate, unexpected health issues arise.
The Bigger Picture
Now that Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams are back from their months-long mission, they’ll be closely monitored for some time. The data collected from their readjustment period will feed into ongoing research on mitigating the effects of microgravity. These studies matter not only for astronauts currently aboard the ISS, but also for those who will journey to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. By perfecting these protocols, space agencies ensure that even longer missions remain feasible – and that astronauts come back safely, even if they need a helping hand stepping onto solid ground again.
