CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla.—Three NASA astronauts recently returned from a prolonged space station mission and discussed their experience for the first time since landing. Astronauts Matthew Dominick, Michael Barratt, and Jeanette Epps spent nearly eight months in orbit, longer than expected due to issues with Boeing’s Starliner crew capsule and rough weather conditions, including Hurricane Milton.
After their SpaceX capsule splashed down in the Gulf of Mexico, the astronauts, along with Russian cosmonaut Alexander Grebenkin, were taken to a hospital in Pensacola. One of the Americans stayed overnight for an undisclosed medical issue, but NASA did not disclose the identity of the astronaut or the reason for hospitalization, citing medical privacy.
During a news conference, the astronauts refused to comment on which one had been sick. Barratt, a doctor specializing in space medicine, did not disclose the symptoms of the affected astronaut, stating that spaceflight is still not fully understood, and unexpected challenges can arise.
Epps mentioned that each individual responds differently to space and gravity, making it unpredictable. Dominick shared his experience of readjusting to Earth’s gravity, mentioning that simple tasks like sitting in a chair comfortably took time to get used to again.
Wilmore and Williams, who served as test pilots for Boeing’s Starliner, will remain at the space station until February, returning with SpaceX. The Starliner capsule returned empty in September after encountering issues.
By Marcia Dunn
