Sunita Williams, Butch Wilmore's urine and sweat was recycled into drinkable water; look at their daily diet
PTC Web Desk: NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams safely returned to Earth on Tuesday (US local time), splashing down off Florida’s coast in a SpaceX capsule. Their return marked the end of a mission that was originally intended to last a week but was extended to nine months due to technical issues with Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft.
The International Space Station (ISS), which orbits 254 miles (409 km) above Earth, has been a centre for global scientific research for nearly 25 years. Managed primarily by the United States and Russia, the football field-sized station serves as a critical hub for space experiments, technological advancements, and long-duration human spaceflight studies.
Wilmore and Sunita Williams, both experienced NASA astronauts and former US Navy test pilots, faced an unexpected extension of their mission due to technical problems with the Boeing Starliner. While their stay was prolonged, the duo adapted to life in space, undertaking research assignments and daily routines to maintain their physical and mental well-being.
Living in space for an extended period presents unique challenges for the human body. Astronauts experience muscle and bone loss due to prolonged weightlessness, fluid shifts that can lead to kidney stones, vision issues, and balance complications upon return to Earth’s gravity. NASA closely monitors these physiological changes and provides specialised exercises and dietary management to mitigate potential health risks.
Both Wilmore and Williams had prior experience aboard the ISS and underwent refresher training before their mission. Wilmore, 62, a former high school and college football player from Tennessee, missed much of his younger daughter’s senior year due to the mission extension. Meanwhile, Williams, 59, an accomplished swimmer and distance runner from Needham, Massachusetts, maintained contact with her husband, mother, and other relatives via internet calls from space.
Three months into the mission, Williams was appointed as the ISS commander, a role she held until earlier this month, overseeing various research projects and station operations.
Daily Diet: What did they eat in Space?
Food aboard the ISS is carefully selected and prepared to ensure astronauts receive the necessary nutrients while adapting to microgravity conditions. According to a report by The New York Post on November 18 last year, Wilmore and Sunita Williams primarily consumed pre-packaged and dehydrated meals during their stay. Some of the staple items included pizza, roast chicken, shrimp cocktails, and tuna.
Initially, astronauts had access to fresh fruits and vegetables, but these supplies were depleted within the first three months. As a result, their diet consisted mainly of freeze-dried or vacuum-sealed produce. “There’s fresh fruit at first, but as the three months continues, that goes away — and their fruits and vegetables are packaged or freeze-dried,” an insider familiar with the Boeing Starliner mission issues had stated in November.
Breakfast options included cereal with powdered milk, while their lunch and dinner featured a variety of items, such as stews, casseroles, and soups. These dehydrated meals required rehydration using water from the ISS’s 530-gallon fresh water system. The space station also employs an advanced recycling system that converts astronauts' urine and sweat into drinkable water, ensuring a sustainable water supply.
NASA medics monitored the astronauts' calorie intake throughout the mission to ensure they met the required energy levels. Despite the extended duration, there was no shortage of food, with the ISS maintaining an ample stock of approximately 3.8 pounds of food per astronaut per day, along with additional emergency provisions.
Challenges of food storage and preparation
Food preservation in space requires special techniques to ensure it remains edible and nutritious over long periods. All meat and eggs consumed by astronauts are pre-cooked on Earth and require only reheating in space. To maximise storage efficiency, food is packaged in vacuum-sealed containers to prevent spoilage and reduce weight.
Despite concerns about potential weight loss, a NASA specialist clarified that any reductions in body mass were not due to food shortages. “To be accurate, it should be very clear that any weight loss is not due to a lack of provisions on the ISS. There is plenty of food, even for an extended mission,” the specialist emphasised.
Return to earth and readjustment
Following their safe return to Earth, Wilmore and Sunita Williams will undergo post-mission evaluations and rehabilitation programmes to help their bodies readjust to Earth’s gravity. This includes medical assessments, physical therapy, and monitoring for any lingering health effects caused by prolonged space travel.
NASA scientists will analyse the data gathered from their mission to further understand how the human body adapts to extended periods in microgravity. These insights are crucial for planning future long-duration missions, including upcoming lunar and Mars expeditions.
- With inputs from agencies
