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Plastic cups and time to readjust to Earth’s gravity—this is what astronaut Sunita Williams will need after her extended stay aboard the International Space Station (ISS), renowned astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson told NDTV in an exclusive interview.
Williams, who initially embarked on an eight-day mission, ended up spending nine months in space due to delays in the return of Boeing’s Starliner capsule. However, Tyson expressed no concern over the situation, stating that he never doubted the astronauts’ ability to return safely.
“They are professional astronauts… selected not only for their physical fitness but also for their emotional stability. When you are emotionally fit, an extension from eight days to nine months does not cause panic or reactions that could jeopardize safety. That’s why I was never worried—even if others were,” Tyson said.
Addressing their post-spaceflight recovery, Tyson assured that Williams and fellow astronaut Butch Wilmore will regain their physical strength soon. “There is no reason to believe their muscles won’t support them again. The ISS has several ways to exercise, but adjusting to gravity takes time. Your body forgets ‘up’ and ‘down’ in space. Astronauts I’ve spoken to say it takes about a week to recover.”
One minor challenge, he added with a smile, is that astronauts often drop objects upon returning to Earth. “They’re used to letting go of things in microgravity, so for the first few days, it’s best to hand them drinks in plastic cups instead of glass.”
Tyson also dismissed concerns about the astronauts’ mental well-being, emphasizing that NASA rigorously selects individuals based on both physical and psychological endurance. “They had food and water—even if it was recycled urine, which is standard on the ISS—and they’re trained for long missions. The only concern might have been running out of extra underwear,” he joked.
Williams and Wilmore finally returned to Earth late Tuesday/early Wednesday aboard SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft, splashing down off Florida’s east coast. Their delayed return meant they witnessed a full U.S. presidential election cycle from space before coming home.
Upon landing, the astronauts smiled and waved from inside the capsule, but their journey is far from over. Months of rehabilitation await them as they work to rebuild muscle mass and bone density affected by prolonged weightlessness.
Explaining the impact of different gravity levels, Tyson noted that everyday tasks on Earth require more effort than in space. “Muscles weaken because they don’t have to work as hard up there. They’ll need strength training and mobility exercises to return to full form.”
Despite the long delay, Tyson remained confident in NASA and its private-sector partners, citing the availability of multiple spacecraft as proof of progress in human spaceflight. “The fact that when Plan A failed, we had Plan B—a whole different company’s rocket—shows space travel is becoming routine. Maybe in the future, we’ll always have a spare rocket in the garage,” he quipped.
Tyson concluded with a suggestion for space agencies: “If I were NASA or any other agency, given the number of rockets available today, I’d always keep one on standby for situations like this.”
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