How will space travel impact Shubhanshu Shukla’s health: Why astronauts need ‘reconditioning’ to earth

After splashdown, Shukla and his crew mates will be removed from the spacecraft using a SpaceX recovery vehicle. It is on this vehicle that the crew will undergo their first medical checks. Afterwards, they will be flown to land on a helicopter that will land on the recovery vehicle.

Once the astronauts return to Earth, they undergo check for key health parameters, which are recorded before the flight as well to establish a baseline. Then, based on these parameters, the astronauts get a personalised reconditioning plan that works on improving their mobility, balance, flexibility, aerobic conditioning, strength, endurance, and the body’s ability to sense its position and movement.

Astronauts experience space sickness in their initial days in microgravity because the brain gets confused with the gravity and acceleration information it receives from the inner ear — the information that is essential for maintaining balance on Earth. Living in microgravity teaches the brain to not listen to the inner ear, which becomes a challenge when they return to Earth as they face difficulty in standing up and walking.

The symptoms are likely to be much less severe in Shukla and his crew mates who spent just 18 days on the ISS. The magnitude of symptoms is greater for those on long-duration missions.

Why do astronauts need reconditioning?

Astronauts need reconditioning after coming back to Earth in order to deal with the symptoms they get. They are also likely to get injured after a stint in space. Astronauts experience problems with balance, fixing their gaze, they may have symptoms while standing up, their spine may be affected, and they may have problems with mobility.

The reconditioning process includes training the astronauts to start listening to their inner ear again, help with motion control, and taking care of conditions they face when they are standing. It also deals with their perception of movement of their own bodies, strength, and endurance. In addition, it looks at the astronauts performing skilled activities.

Post-flight injuries are common among astronauts, with nearly 92% of them experiencing it, according to NASA, with nearly half the injuries occurring within a year of landing. The injuries include muscle sprain, tendon-related injuries, and fractures. Space travel also affects the spine — nearly half the astronauts who return from space have a disc herniation, according to NASA. The astronauts also have a mobility or flexibility issue after they return from space.

“Because there is no gravity here, doing very small things becomes difficult. Drinking water, walking, and sleeping are all a challenge. It takes a few days to get used to, but then everything is okay,” said Shukla during one of his interactions.