Abandoned in Space? Stranded Astronaut Photos Shock the World!

The health of two NASA astronauts stranded on the International Space Station (ISS) has become a growing worry after recent images revealed one of them looking severely worn out. Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore have been on the ISS since June 6, following technical issues with their Boeing Starliner, a mission that was only meant to last eight days.

Now 153 days into their extended stay in space, both astronauts are showing signs of physical stress, with medical experts increasingly concerned. In one of the latest photos, Williams, 59, appears significantly thinner, her once fuller cheeks now sunken and hollow. Despite her smile and seemingly positive demeanor, the physical toll of prolonged space life is becoming increasingly visible.

To cope with their unplanned, lengthy mission, Williams and Wilmore have been making do with an improvised diet. They were recently seen enjoying a makeshift meal of uncooked pizza topped with condiments like ketchup and mustard—a limited menu reflective of the restricted supplies aboard the ISS.

“What you’re seeing there in that picture is somebody that I think is experiencing the natural stresses of living at a very high altitude, even in a pressurized cabin, for extended periods,” Dr. Vinay Gupta explained to the Daily Mail. He went on to note that Williams’ sunken cheeks likely indicate a “significant” calorie deficit, a side effect of space living where energy expenditure tends to exceed intake.

Space presents unique health challenges, with colder temperatures and the physical demands of zero gravity forcing astronauts to burn more calories than they would on Earth. According to Dr. Gupta, this high energy expenditure paired with limited food options contributes to visible weight loss and even muscle atrophy, a well-known risk of prolonged space missions.

“They’re intaking very high-calorie foods, as you can tell—cold cuts, and, you know, other meats, the proteins, but high-fat cold cuts—it’s not necessarily a balanced diet,” Gupta explained. Though high in calories, these foods may not provide the balanced nutrition required for long-term health in such an extreme environment.

The alarming health signs for Williams and Wilmore come just after another crew of NASA astronauts returned to Earth after 200 days on the ISS. Upon landing in SpaceX’s Dragon capsule, they were taken directly to the hospital, where one astronaut had to stay overnight at Ascension Sacred Heart Pensacola. NASA has not disclosed the nature of the medical situation, though the astronaut was discharged the next day.

With each passing day on the ISS, the two stranded astronauts face unique and mounting physical challenges. Their extended stay is a reminder of the inherent risks and strains of life in space—a life that, despite its incredible view of Earth, demands resilience against physical hardships few can imagine.