Space hero Barry Wilmore faces gravity challenge at home
Astronaut Barry Wilmore is experiencing difficulties adapting to gravity after returning from a nine-month space mission. His daughter shares that he is managing well while it's challenging for him. She also mentioned the dish she plans to prepare to celebrate his return to Earth.
Astronauts Barry Wilmore and Sunita Williams have returned to Earth after spending nine months in space. According to reports in the New York Post, Wilmore is struggling to adjust to Earth's gravity. His daughter, Daryn, updated the 62-year-old astronaut's health condition.
He's doing good, Daryn Wilmore revealed on Thursday on TikTok.
During her father's nine-month absence, Daryn stayed in contact with him. A few hours before his return, she stated she wanted to prepare his favorite dessert: pecan pie. She also compiled a list of activities for her father to do after reuniting with the family. The concerned daughter added that he would spend the coming days undergoing tests. In another video, she suggested the astronauts faced delays due to issues she declined to elaborate on.
One of the biggest challenges for astronauts is adapting to life without microgravity. When in space, muscles and bones lose mass, making it difficult to return to regular physical activity. According to the New York Post, NASA reports that in microgravity conditions, bones can lose 1 to 1.5 percent of their mineral density per month.
The astronauts initially flew to the International Space Station in June of last year. They were supposed to stay for eight days, but their mission was extended. Ultimately, NASA planned for a crew exchange on the ISS, with Williams and Wilmore returning to Earth aboard the Crew Dragon spacecraft from Elon Musk's company, SpaceX.
Williams and Wilmore spent 286 days in space. Frank Rubio, an American astronaut, spent 371 consecutive days in space. According to PAP, Russian cosmonaut Oleg Kononienko holds the record for the total number of days spent in space, with over 878 days.
