Astronaut Sunita Williams’ Weight Loss Triggers NASA Race to Help Her Pack on the Pounds

Exclusive | ‘I gasped out loud when I saw the last picture’

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NASA is racing to help astronaut Sunita Williams pack on the pounds after she lost a dangerous amount of weight during her latest mission to the International Space Station.

Williams, 52, returned to Earth last month after spending six months in space. But when she stepped out of the Soyuz capsule, her colleagues were shocked by her appearance.

"I gasped out loud when I saw the last picture," said astronaut Kjell Lindgren, who was part of the team that helped Williams back to Earth. "She was so thin."

Williams lost 11 pounds during her mission, bringing her weight down to just 100 pounds. That's a significant weight loss for someone who is 5'9" tall.

Losing weight in space is common, but Williams' weight loss was more severe than usual. She also lost muscle mass and her bones became weaker.

NASA is now working with Williams to help her regain her weight and strength. She is on a special diet and exercise program, and she is also taking supplements to help her bones.

It is not clear why Williams lost so much weight in space. But it is possible that she was not getting enough to eat, or that her body was not absorbing nutrients properly.

NASA is studying Williams' case to learn more about how to prevent weight loss in astronauts. The agency is also working on developing new ways to help astronauts regain weight and strength after they return to Earth.

In the meantime, Williams is taking things one day at a time. She is grateful to be back on Earth, and she is determined to get her health back on track.

"I'm not going to give up," she said. "I'm going to keep fighting to get my weight back up."

Williams' case highlights the challenges that astronauts face in space. Losing weight is a serious problem, and it can have a significant impact on their health.

NASA is committed to finding ways to prevent and treat weight loss in astronauts. The agency's research will help to ensure that astronauts can continue to explore space safely and successfully.