Before and after photos of stranded astronauts reveal impact of being in space for months

Side-by-side photos of NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams show the dramatic changes in their faces after spending an astounding 286 days in space. 

After finally returning to Earth, Wilmore and Williams face a strenuous recovery period. The pair touched down on Earth on Tuesday, March 18, as their SpaceX capsule made a splash landing in the Gulf of Mexico hours after departing the International Space Station. 

After exiting the capsule, both astronauts were immediately taken for medical evaluations on stretchers.  

They both looked gaunt, pale, and much older than before in shocking photos released by NASA demonstrating how prolonged exposure to low gravity can wreak havoc on astronaut bodies, necessitating a lengthy recovery process. 
 

Suni before

Suni now

Long stints in space can take a toll on the skin and vision, sometimes causing blood clots. Astronauts are also exposed to huge amounts of radiation in space because they are beyond the protection of Earth’s atmosphere and magnetic field, exposing them to more harmful cosmic rays and solar particles. 

Astronauts experience decreased muscle mass from limited movement in space shuttles, bones lose density, there’s increased mineral content in their systems, and neurological changes like disorientation take place, along with space motion sickness and a loss of sense of direction. 
 

Butch before

Butch in March 2025

Butch now

Other health risks of being in space include swelling in the back of the eye, decreases in blood volume, orthostatic tolerance, and lessened aerobic capacity while also experiencing increased arrhythmias, according to the Baylor College of Medicine. 

Basically, the conditions in space are unsuitable for humans, and NASA is constantly working to study the effects and make changes that could potentially mitigate such physical breakdowns. 

Wilmore and Williams completed 4,576 orbits around Earth and accumulated a staggering 121 million miles (195 million kilometers) before their return to earth. 

Both Wilmore and Williams, former Navy captains, expressed that they didn’t mind the extended stay in space, likening it to their days in military service. However, they acknowledged the stress it imposed on their families. 

Back on Earth, the absence of 59-year-old Williams and 62-year-old Wilmore was deeply felt. Wilmore missed most of his younger daughter’s senior year and his older daughter’s college experience. 

Meanwhile, Williams maintained her morale by using the internet to communicate with her family from space. 

The duo initially intended to be away for just about a week after their June 5 launch on Boeing’s new Starliner crew capsule. 

However, they encountered several hitches en route to the space station. 

Marooned, they became indispensable members of the team, participating in scientific research, fixing equipment, and even embarking on joint spacewalks. Williams notably set a record with her spacewalking feats, clocking 62 hours across nine spacewalks, the most time a female astronaut has spent spacewalking in her career. 

The arrival of their replacement crew on Sunday, March 16, signaled that Wilmore and Williams could finally leave. NASA allowed them to depart a bit early due to the unpredictable weather forecast later in the week.