After their eight-day space journey stretched into a months-long stay at the International Space Station, two astronauts are living out a sci-fi nightmare. People are now voicing their concerns after viewing pictures that show some unsettling aspects, claiming the pair was “left to rot” in space.
In what was supposed to be a week-long test voyage, Sunita “Suni” Williams and Barry “Butch” Wilmore were the first crew members to board Boeing’s new Starliner spacecraft when they launched into orbit on June 5, 2024.
But their path took a surprising detour.
The two retired Navy captains eventually made it to the International Space Station (ISS), a research facility orbiting roughly 250 miles above the planet, after overcoming a slew of propulsion issues and helium leaks.
Their journey was postponed until February 2025, when they are anticipated to come home aboard the SpaceX Dragon spaceship, after NASA deemed the Starliner too dangerous for a return trip.
“A different route”
Despite the unanticipated extension, Wilmore, 61, and Williams, 59, adjusted to their extended assignment with ease. Wilmore and Williams, who took over as ISS commander in September 2024, helped with a variety of scientific research, station upkeep, and even unforeseen problems like fixing a broken toilet.
Wilmore puts a positive gloss on their predicament, and the two remain unfazed despite being stuck—a word NASA avoids using: “We’re simply on a different path,” Wilmore of Tennessee stated. It’s true that mindset matters a lot. I don’t consider these life circumstances to be depressing.
Commander Williams added, “I enjoy every aspect of being up here.” “Just living in space is super fun,” she says, speaking in December to elementary school children at the school that bears her name in Massachusetts.
“It appears to be starvation.”
In addition to being stuck until at least February, Williams caused a stir among the public when she appeared to have lost weight and had sunken cheeks in recently made public videos and pictures.
“Wow! Up there, they [aren’t] telling us the truth. Regarding Williams’ thin build, one user writes, “That looks like starvation.”
“We have two people who are genuinely contributing to the advancement of humanity and doing the legwork, and they are simply allowed to rot.” February 2025? It doesn’t appear that she will survive. One says, “It’s really sad,” while another adds, “Damn bro, it looks like we really gonna let [them] die up there.”
Another internet user continues, “The woman appears to be in horrible health.most likely lost a significant amount of bone density and weight. In addition, the man appears disheveled and undernourished. This is what I suppose would happen if your weekend vacation to the ISS turned into a horror show that lasted for over a year. Captured in Space
A few internet users, meanwhile, have faith in the space veteran’s skills: “Nah, dude…They’ll be fine because she’s healthy and has a ton of experience,” one netizen comments.
Change of fluid
However, Williams maintains that her weight has been constant since her launch, arguing that her appearance is the result of a “fluid shift,” which is brought on by the weightlessness of space, which frequently causes blood to move from the lower extremities to a higher location in the body.
“A lot of changes are happening up here. There are some speculations that I’m losing weight, I believe. The astronaut explained, “I weigh the same as I did when I came up here.
“I believe that a lot of things change; you’ve probably heard of a fluid shift. Because the fluid evens out along the body, people in space appear to have slightly larger heads.
Food and space fitness
Williams claimed that she has been following a “specifically designed, earth-like exercise plan” while in the orbiting laboratory.
To promote muscular, bone, aerobic, and sensorimotor health, NASA really states that “crew members are scheduled for two and a half hours of daily exercise.”
Despite the fact that I don’t lift weights frequently, I could see that it had altered me. “My butt and thighs are slightly larger,” Williams stated, adding, “but my weight is the same.”
NASA sent a statement assuring the public that Williams “is in good health” in response to the “rumors.”
“Every NASA astronaut on board the International Space Station is in good health, receives regular medical examinations, and is closely observed by flight surgeons.”
Additionally, the space agency emphasized that the team has enough supplies to last them during their very lengthy orbital journey, including personal favorites on the menu.
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