NASA astronaut Sonny Williams is in good health in Earth’s orbit, despite some media speculation to the contrary, according to the agency.
Tabloids like the Daily Mail and the New York Post recently ran stories speculating that Williams might be descending aboard the International Space Station (ISS), citing an outside doctor’s thoughts about a photo taken on September 24 in which she supposedly appears “emaciated.” “
But there’s nothing to worry about, NASA officials said in an emailed statement today (November 7).
That statement stressed that Williams, the current commander of Expedition 72 to the International Space Station, is “in good health” and that NASA is “not tracking any concerns” with her or any other agency astronauts aboard the International Space Station. (Four NASA astronauts and three Russian cosmonauts currently live on the station.)
“All NASA astronauts aboard the International Space Station are undergoing routine medical evaluations, have dedicated flight surgeons to monitor them, and are in good health,” the statement said.
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NASA astronaut and Expedition 72 commander Sonny Williams wears a pirate eye patch to celebrate Halloween as he orbits Earth aboard the International Space Station. (Image credit: NASA)
Williams and fellow NASA astronaut Butch Wilmore arrived at the orbiting laboratory on June 6 aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft. The duo was supposed to return home after just a week or so, but problems with the Starliner’s propulsion system extended their stay and eventually convinced NASA to bring Boeing’s capsule home without a crew.
It happened on September 6. Meanwhile, Williams and Willmore will remain aboard the International Space Station until February 2025, when they will return to Earth with the astronauts for SpaceX’s Crew-9 mission.
NASA officials said there are plenty of supplies — including food — to support Williams and Wilmore until the end of their unexpectedly long orbital stay.
