After nine months in orbit, astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore returned to Earth.
Their eight-day flight to space turned into a month-long stay, which was repeatedly postponed due to technical problems.
In the end, NASA decided to try to send the captured astronauts home using a SpaceX Dragon capsule instead of Boeing.
The capsule crashed off the coast of Florida, confirming their safe recovery.
However, Williams and Wilmore were unable to physically get out of the capsule. Instead, they were taken out and placed on a stretcher. This is not uncommon, as astronauts returning from space have weakened muscles that make it difficult to walk under the influence of Earth's gravity.
Now, the "before" and "after" photos of the two show how the 286-day stay in space affected their bodies.
Concerns about their health have arisen even throughout their time in space, especially because of extreme weight loss and muscle atrophy.
According to the Daily Mail, one of the main difficulties in spending more time in space is the effect of microgravity. Over time, it can cause swelling of the optic nerves of the eyes, flattening of the back of the eye and the development of retinal folds.
The disorder known as spaceflight-related neuro-ocular syndrome (SANS) can cause blurred vision in approximately 70% of all astronauts who travel in space.
Williams, on the other hand, was ready to face the obstacles. In an interview with Fortune before her space trip, she said, "It's just what the human body does – it explores, among other things." Perhaps part of it is suppressed by society and the events around us, but we are all curious and want to discover. As a country, it's one of those things that gives people hope and an awareness of things bigger than themselves."
During his interviews about space, Williams discusses the effects of space on his body. "A lot of changes are happening up here."
"But it's interesting, I guess there are some rumors that I'm losing weight and others like that. I'm actually at the same weight."
Williams and Wilmore's trip home took 17 hours.
