NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, a part of the Boeing Crew Flight Test mission on the International Space Station (ISS), have been caught in space for greater than 50 days resulting from a helium leak of their spacecraft’s service module, delaying their mission.
Extended time in microgravity poses varied well being dangers to astronauts. Reports counsel that Williams is experiencing important well being challenges, significantly speedy bone density loss, much like osteoporosis, as bones don’t bear weight in microgravity. The crew additionally underwent detailed eye examinations to check the potential imaginative and prescient impacts of long-term space missions, specializing in the cornea, lens, and optic nerve.
To mitigate bone loss, NASA utilises particular train routines and dietary methods. Astronauts interact in resistance and cardio workout routines to assist preserve bone density.
Nutrition is significant for astronaut well being, with NASA offering quite a lot of space meals in numerous categories:
Rehydratable Foods
These objects, together with soups, casseroles and breakfast meals, have water eliminated earlier than launch to avoid wasting weight and are rehydrated with water generated on the shuttle.
Thermo-stabilised Foods
These heat-processed objects similar to fruits, fish, and entrees are packaged in cans, plastic cups or retort pouches to make sure they are suitable for eating. Most fruits and fish like tuna and salmon are canned utilizing warmth to maintain them contemporary. These cans include easy-to-open lids. Puddings are put in plastic cups. Main dishes, similar to beef with mushrooms, tomatoes and eggplant, hen à la king, and ham are packed in versatile pouches. After heating, these pouches are reduce open with scissors and the food is eaten immediately from the containers utilizing common utensils.
Irradiated Foods
Similar to thermostabilised meals, these ready-to-eat meat objects require solely warming earlier than consumption and are packaged in versatile pouches.
Natural Form Foods
These ready-to-eat objects, together with nuts, granola bars and cookies are packaged in versatile pouches for comfort.
(With inputs from businesses)