NASA Astronaut Says Starliner Crew to Likely Change Exercise Routine During Extended ISS Stay

Current Mission Plans for a Six-Month Stay

NASA astronaut Butch Wilmore, who is currently serving as the commander of the International Space Station (ISS), said that the Starliner crew will likely need to change their exercise routine during their extended stay on the ISS. The Starliner crew is scheduled to launch to the ISS in May 2023 and stay for six months.

Cardiovascular and Bone Health

The current plan for the Starliner crew's exercise routine includes a combination of cardiovascular and resistance exercises. The cardiovascular exercises are designed to help the crew maintain their cardiovascular health, while the resistance exercises are designed to help them maintain their bone health. However, Wilmore said that the crew may need to adjust their exercise routine to account for the longer duration of their stay.

Crew Health

"We're going to have to look at our exercise protocols and see if we need to make some adjustments to make sure we maintain the crew's health," Wilmore said. "We may need to increase the amount of time that they spend doing cardiovascular exercise, and we may need to add some more resistance exercises to their routine."

Other Factors to Consider

In addition to their exercise routine, the Starliner crew will also need to consider other factors that could affect their health during their extended stay on the ISS. These factors include radiation exposure, microgravity, and isolation. The crew will need to take steps to mitigate the risks associated with these factors in order to stay healthy during their mission.

Conclusion

The Starliner crew is scheduled to launch to the ISS in May 2023 and stay for six months. The crew's exercise routine will likely need to be adjusted to account for the longer duration of their stay. The crew will also need to consider other factors that could affect their health during their extended stay on the ISS.