Orbiting the planet since June, two astronauts from NASA prepare for an extended mission in space. With Thanksgiving around the corner, their special menu promises a comforting reminder of home. two nasa astronauts stranded in space
NASA astronauts, currently in space for an extended period, have shared their plans for celebrating Thanksgiving, including their festive meal choices.
Barry “Butch” Wilmore and Sunita “Suni” Williams have been aboard the International Space Station since June 5, having initially embarked on what was expected to be a brief eight-day mission.
According to NASA’s latest update, the return of the astronauts has been postponed until at least February 2025 due to technical challenges with the Boeing Starliner spacecraft. Despite the extended mission, the crew has successfully cast their votes in the US election and is preparing to celebrate Thanksgiving in space.
In a message broadcasted from space, the astronauts shared how they would spend the day and what they’d eat.
Suni greeted viewers by saying, “Greetings from the International Space Station. Our crew wants to say a happy Thanksgiving to our friends and family and everyone down on earth supporting us.
Her fellow astronaut elaborated on their Thanksgiving plans, saying: “We’re bringing the tradition to space, though our meal might look a bit different. On the menu, we’ve got Brussels sprouts, butternut squash, apples with spice, and smoked turkey—it’s going to be fantastic.”
Despite the extended mission due to technical issues, the astronauts aboard the International Space Station remain optimistic and focused.
Concerns about their health surfaced recently when new photos showed them appearing thinner, particularly a September 24 image of Williams, which highlighted noticeable weight loss and sparked public discussion about their well-being.
On her 159th day aboard the International Space Station, the astronaut addressed these concerns during a live broadcast, reassuring viewers about her well-being. The session, hosted by The Daily Mail, aimed to provide updates on the crew’s health and daily life in orbit.
Williams addressed the physical changes astronauts experience in space, explaining that fluid shifts can impact their appearance.
“I think things shift around quite a bit,” Williams said about changes in physical appearance due to fluid shifts in space, noting that it can affect how their heads and bodies look.
“Folks in space, you know, their heads look a little bit bigger because the fluid evens out along the body,” she elaborated, adding that while she may seem leaner, her body size has increased.
“My thighs are a little bit bigger, my butt is a little bit bigger. We do a lot of squats.”
At 59 years old, Williams stressed the crucial role of exercise in space, particularly to maintain bone density.
She explained that astronauts can lose up to two percent of their hip and spine bone density each month.
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