Three astronauts from NASA’s SpaceX Crew-8 mission participated in a NASA news conference where they shared their experiences adjusting to life on Earth after spending 235 days aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The astronauts, including Matthew Dominick, Michael Barratt, and Jeanette Epps, discussed the physical challenges they faced as they readapted to gravity. For example, Dominick, a first-time space traveler, found that sitting on a hard chair was unexpectedly painful after months of floating in microgravity. He humorously recalled needing to lie down while dining outside because his chair felt uncomfortable. Epps mentioned how the weight of everyday objects was surprising, and emphasized the importance of daily exercise to regain strength after such a long mission.
The astronauts had returned to Earth on October 25, completing a mission that was extended longer than initially planned due to a series of delays. These included technical issues with the Boeing Starliner spacecraft, which ultimately led to schedule changes and Crew-8’s return being pushed back. Weather also contributed to the delays, but the Crew-8 astronauts finally splashed down off the coast of Florida aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule.
While the team appeared healthy during their splashdown and were seen smiling and waving on recovery ships, hours later, NASA confirmed that they had been transported to a nearby hospital, Ascension Sacred Heart Pensacola, out of caution. One astronaut was hospitalized overnight, but NASA did not reveal the identity of the individual or the specific medical issue. The crew members, including Barratt, a medical doctor, refrained from discussing the incident in detail, citing medical privacy. It is routine for astronauts to undergo checkups following long-duration space missions, although they are typically sent to their home base in Houston instead of a local hospital.
Despite the challenges, the Crew-8 astronauts remained positive, reflecting on the surreal experience of returning to gravity. They noted that, while their stay in space was extended due to unforeseen events, it wasn’t a record-breaking duration. In fact, longer stays are not unusual. For example, NASA astronaut Frank Rubio spent a record 371 days in space due to technical issues with his spacecraft.
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