The astronauts stranded on the International Space Station have sparked weightloss fears after surviving on soup made from their recycled pee.
Butch Wilmore, 61, and Sunita Williams, 59, were only supposed to spend eight days in space when they set off in June. But they were left stranded when the Boeing Starliner craft which was supposed to bring them back to Earth sprang helium leaks and suffered thruster malfunctions rendering a manned return trip too dangerous.
The astronauts will have to stay on the space station – which orbits Earth at a height of 254 miles – until February (2025) when a SpaceX Dragon craft is due to rescue them.
(Image: NASA/AFP via Getty Images)
The unplanned extra stay has put a strain on food supplies. They started off tucking into fresh fruit and veg plus pizza, roast chicken, and shrimp cocktails.
But now they are largely nibbling breakfast cereal with powdered milk, dehydrated casseroles and freeze-dried soup made with water from the station’s 530 gallon tank.
The ISS recycles the astronauts’ urine and sweat into fresh water to ensure minimal waste.
The duo’s nutrition is carefully monitored by NASA doctors to ensure they consume enough calories to stay healthy during the extended mission. But both appear to have visibly lost weight.
(Image: NASA / SWNS)
Sunita has said her gaunt appearance – which has shocked some mission observers – is down to the impact of microgravity during a long space stay rather than her diet. She said she maintains her weight through a rigorous exercise regime and proper nutrition.
NASA officials monitor the duo’s food supplies and health 24/7. A US space agency specialist said: “There’s fresh fruit at first.
“But as the months continue that goes away.
“Their fruits and vegetables are packaged or freeze-dried.”
(Image: ©Adam Jamieson/Getty Images/iStockphoto)
The ISS stocks approximately 3.8lb of food per astronaut daily with reserves to cover unexpected stay extensions. The system is designed to ensure astronauts have enough nutrition and variety to sustain long missions in space.
The astronauts prepare their own meals on magnetised trays using metal utensils to prevent items from floating away in microgravity. The NASA specialist said the astronauts are well cared for despite the challenges.
“Nothing is left to chance and that includes their food,” they said.
“To be accurate it should be very clear that any weight loss is not due to a lack of provisions on the ISS.
“There is plenty of food even for an extended mission.”
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