NASA Refutes Reports of ‘Health Concerns’ for ISS Astronaut Suni Williams

Space agency flatly denies speculation about the Boeing Starliner crewmember’s ‘gaunt’ look, driven by recent photos.

Friday, November 08, 2024 at 03:36 PM ET

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NASA astronaut and Boeing Starliner crewmember Suni Williams installs life support hardware on the International Space Station in August. [Courtesy: NASA Johnson Space Center]

Key Takeaways:

NASA has publicly refuted media speculation regarding astronaut Suni Williams' health, confirming that she and the entire ISS crew are in good health and continually monitored by flight surgeons.
Reports about Williams' "gaunt" appearance were dismissed by NASA, which clarified that it's common for astronauts to experience some weight loss (around 5%) during long-duration spaceflight due to high caloric expenditure.
Williams and fellow astronaut Butch Wilmore are currently on an extended mission aboard the ISS until February, a prolonged stay from their initial eight-day expectation due to unresolved issues with the Boeing Starliner spacecraft.

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No, International Space Station (ISS) astronaut Suni Williams does not face “health concerns,” NASA said in response to media speculation.

Articles from the Daily Mail and New York Post, citing a pulmonologist and medical analyst, characterize the Boeing Starliner astronaut’s appearance in recent photos as “gaunt.” But the space agency told FLYING that Williams—along with the rest of the ISS crew—is just fine.

Jack Daleo

Jack is a staff writer covering advanced air mobility, including everything from drones to unmanned aircraft systems to space travel—and a whole lot more. He spent close to two years reporting on drone delivery for FreightWaves, covering the biggest news and developments in the space and connecting with industry executives and experts. Jack is also a basketball aficionado, a frequent traveler and a lover of all things logistics.