Last updated:March 19, 2025, 16:01 IST

Of course, Sunita Williams returned to the earth on 19 March after being stuck in space for 09 months. But she will not be able to go home for at least 15 days. They have the fit of Earth by staying at many NASA centers …Read more

When the astronaut returns after being in space, it is not worth walking.

Even after returning from space to Earth, Sunita Williams will probably not be able to go home for a month. Will not meet her husband. Will not be able to eat favorite food. Because they have been taken to such a place as soon as they return to the earth, where they will have to go through many types of procedures. Hard fitness routine is waiting for them. Perhaps they will have to work more than the International Space Station on the earth for the next few weeks.

After returning from space, there is a complete fitness process by taking care of astronauts (astronauts) and returning home, which has to pass through them. It is based on scientific protocol.

This process is conducted by organizations such as NASA and SpaceX. What is this whole process, due to which the astronaut is not able to go home for two to four weeks for several days after returning from space. Can not start a normal life.

When they are expelled from the spacecraft
When the spacecraft returns to the earth from the space, it is called a splashdown. The same happened in SpaceX Dragon Capsule. As soon as this splashdown took place, the recovery team immediately took out Sunita Williams and other astronauts. Then he had a medical checkup. Astronauts were immediately taken to a recovery ship (such as SpaceX's Go Navigator). Where doctors examined his physical condition. It saw early reactions from the effects of heart rate, blood pressure, and gravity.

Where do you take it again
After the descend of SpaceX capsules, astronauts were taken from a helicopter or small aircraft to the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) of Florida or a nearby medical facility. It happened within a few hours.

Here they will be kept under surveillance from a few hours to a day to ensure that they are able to adjust back to the Earth's gravity normally. Longing in space affects bones and muscles, due to which this step is necessary.

Transfer to Houston
Most American astronauts are taken from Florida to NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. It usually occurs within 24–48 hours of the splashadown. His intensive medical examination and rehabilitation begins here.

Astronauts are kept here under surveillance for a few days. Based on the duration of the mission (for example, 6 months ISS mission), exercise and therapy are given to normalize their bones, muscles and balance.

How many days can you go home after?
If the mission is small i.e. 1-2 weeks, then astronauts can go home within 2-5 days of Splashdown, provided their condition is normal. If the mission is 3-6 months old, astronauts are usually kept in NASA facilities for 1-2 weeks. They are then allowed to go home, but it may take 1-2 months to return to normal life. If the mission is longer then the time may increase some more.
If there is a problem in the health of an astronaut (such as dizziness, weakness, or cardiovascular problems), this time may increase

When will Sunita Williams go home
For missions like crew-10, which is associated with ISS, which can be of several months, as Sunita Williams, then at least 15 days will be taken to go home. After spending a few hours in Florida, he will have to spend one to two weeks in Houston. He can return home by the end of March or in early April.

What is gravity at international space station
ISS is in the lower orbit of the Earth. Its residents experience microgravity, that is, very small but more than zero gravity force. It affects the body in many ways.

How long does the fitness of astronauts take to come back
According to NASA, “After the rehabilitation of the flight vary to each astronaut and vary to each person. Most astronomers reach their preflight fitness baseline within the first 45 days of returning to Earth.

When will it be checked
Three days of returning to Earth, one or two weeks and two months after they will also be physically examined. There is also a psychological investigation after another 10 days of return.

What is involved in physical rehabilitation?
Along with medical tests, physical treatment is also done, so that it can be ensured that the body of the crew members has become completely accustomed to the Earth. Many types of exercises have to be done ranging from cycling, yoga, stretching. When a crew member returns to his flight-east fitness level, the flight therapy gives him discharge. Then he can normally return home.