'Pizza, tuna...': What Sunita Williams, Butch Wilmore ate during their extended stay in space

A specialist clarified that any weight loss experienced by the astronauts was not due to food shortages.

NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams safely returned to Earth on Tuesday, US local time, splashing down off Florida’s coast aboard a SpaceX capsule. Their return marked the end of an unexpectedly prolonged mission that kept them aboard the International Space Station (ISS) for over nine months—far beyond the planned eight-day stay—due to technical issues with Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft.

The International Space Station, orbiting 409 km above Earth, has been a hub for scientific research and collaboration for nearly 25 years. Wilmore, 62, and Williams, 59, both former Navy test pilots, were well-acquainted with space missions, having previously served on the ISS. However, their most recent mission took an unforeseen turn when Starliner’s propulsion system developed malfunctions, making an immediate return unsafe.

With their mission extended indefinitely, both astronauts had to adapt to an extended stay in microgravity. Williams assumed command of the ISS three months into the mission, holding the position until earlier this month.

Living in space for extended periods presents physiological challenges, including muscle and bone loss, fluid shifts that can lead to kidney stones and vision impairment, as well as the need to readjust balance upon returning to gravity. These effects are closely monitored by NASA, ensuring astronauts remain in optimal health during and after their missions.

Throughout their extended stay, the astronauts followed a carefully planned diet. A report in The New York Post revealed that they primarily consumed pizza, roast chicken, shrimp cocktails, and tuna. While fresh produce was available initially, stocks depleted after three months, leaving them with packaged or freeze-dried alternatives.

NASA medics closely monitored their calorie intake, ensuring their nutritional needs were met. Food items were designed for space consumption at the Johnson Space Center's Space Food Systems Laboratory in Houston, with all meat and eggs pre-cooked on Earth and only requiring reheating. Dehydrated meals, such as soups and stews, were reconstituted using water from the ISS’s 530-gallon fresh water tank, which also recycles astronauts' urine and sweat into potable water.

Despite speculation, a specialist clarified that any weight loss experienced by the astronauts was not due to food shortages. The ISS is stocked with approximately 3.8 pounds of food per astronaut per day, with additional reserves to accommodate unexpected mission extensions.

The highly anticipated return of Wilmore and Williams was closely followed by their families, space enthusiasts, and scientists worldwide. The moment their capsule, SpaceX’s Dragon, made a gentle splashdown off Florida’s coast was met with relief and celebration.

In India, Williams’ return was particularly significant. Her family, including sister Falguni Pandya, expressed joy at her safe arrival. Speaking to NDTV, Pandya described the moment of touchdown as "surreal" and hinted at a celebratory "samosa party"—a nod to Williams being the first astronaut to carry samosas to space.

Having spent 286 days on the ISS, Williams and Wilmore have now joined the ranks of astronauts who have endured extended missions beyond their initial timelines.