Astronauts Return to Earth

US astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry 'Butch' Wilmore will grow shorter now that they are back on Earth because:

• They are exposed to Earth's gravity again, which compresses their spines.

• They are not exercising as much as they did in space.

• They are eating different food on Earth.

• They are sleeping more on Earth.

How long were Sunita Williams and Barry "Butch" Wilmore in space before returning to Earth?

Which spacecraft did Sunita Williams and Barry 'Butch' Wilmore use to return to Earth?

What changes will Sunita Williams and Barry 'Butch' Wilmore have to readjust to now that they are back on Earth?

• Adjusting to Earth's gravity

• Learning to walk again

• Re-adapting to Earth's atmosphere

• All of the above

What is responsible for many of the changes that astronauts experience in space?

• Gravity

• Microgravity

• Radiation

• Temperature

Answer explanation

Microgravity, often called weightlessness, is a condition where the effects of gravity are significantly reduced or appear to be absent, commonly experienced in space, particularly in orbit, where objects appear to float. 

A stay in space affects astronauts' bodies in various ways. Which of the following is a common effect?

• Increased bone density

• Muscle atrophy

• Improved vision

• Enhanced immune system

Answer explanation

Muscular atrophy, or muscle wasting, is the loss of muscle mass and strength, which can be caused by various factors including disuse, injury, disease, or aging. 

True or False: Astronauts become shorter in space due to the effects of microgravity.

• True

• False

What happens to astronauts' bone density and muscles in space?

• They increase significantly

• They remain the same

• They decrease due to microgravity

• They become stronger

Astronauts get taller in space because:

• The absence of gravity allows the spine to expand.

• They exercise more in space.

• The space suits stretch their bodies.

• They eat a special diet that promotes growth.

Astronauts' height in space can increase by up to __ percent while living in microgravity, according to NASA.

• 3

• 5

• 7

• 10