NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore have embarked on a 45-day rehabilitation program to help them adapt to Earth’s gravity after spending nine months in space. The duo returned safely to Earth early this morning, splashing down off the coast of Florida aboard SpaceX’s Crew-9 capsule.

Following their extended stay aboard the International Space Station (ISS), the astronauts will now undergo physical reconditioning to counteract the effects of prolonged weightlessness. Prolonged exposure to microgravity presents unique challenges to the human body, including reduced aerobic capacity, muscle strength, endurance, balance, coordination, bone density, and neuro-vestibular function. To counteract these effects, Astronaut Strength, Conditioning, and Rehabilitation (ASCR) specialists have developed a structured reconditioning program aimed at restoring the astronauts’ physical health.

The rehabilitation is divided into three phases. The first phase starts on landing day and focuses on mobility, flexibility, and muscle strengthening. The second phase incorporates proprioceptive exercises and cardiovascular training, while the third and longest phase prioritises functional development.

Seventeen hours after departing the ISS, their SpaceX Dragon capsule safely splashed down at 3:27 a.m. IST. Following their retrieval from the capsule, they were immediately sent for medical evaluations before starting their rehabilitation.