This autumn, photographs of NASA astronaut Suni Williams, currently aboard the International Space Station (ISS), sparked a wave of unsubstantiated rumours concerning her health across social media and tabloid publications. Articles in the *New York Post
and the *Daily Mail* suggested Williams appeared gaunt and speculated on significant, potentially unhealthy weight loss.
NASA swiftly addressed these claims in an early November statement to the press, refuting the allegations. Williams herself subsequently dismissed the rumours during an on-board interview. Now, Dr. James D. Polk, NASA's Chief Health and Medical Officer, has again categorically denied the assertions.
"I can assure you the astronauts are in excellent health and good condition," Polk told *Space.com*'s Monisha Ravisetti. "Let me address that rumour directly; it is untrue."
Williams and fellow astronaut Butch Wilmore are currently undertaking an extended ISS mission. Their journey aboard Boeing's Starliner spacecraft in June was initially planned as a short mission, but technical issues with the spacecraft led NASA to ground the Starliner without its crew. A subsequent announcement in late August confirmed their return to Earth aboard a SpaceX Dragon capsule in February 2025, extending their stay from eight days to approximately eight months. Experts highlighted that both Williams and Wilmore are highly experienced astronauts, thoroughly trained for extended space missions.
The health rumours, now over 160 days into their extended mission, focused on the potential negative effects of prolonged space residency. A photograph of Williams and Wilmore making pizza in the ISS galley attracted particular attention. Pulmonologist and health policy analyst, Vinay Gupta, commenting to the *Daily Mail*, described Williams' appearance as "sunken" and suggested she looked underweight.
Williams herself sought to alleviate public concerns in an interview with the New England Sports Network. "There are rumours I'm losing weight," she stated, "but that's not true. My weight is the same as when I arrived." She emphasised her regular exercise regime, a standard practice for all astronauts to counteract the muscle and bone density loss associated with prolonged microgravity. She even noted positive changes from weight training, stating, "My thighs and bottom are a little bigger."
Despite Williams' reassurances, the *New York Post
subsequently cited an anonymous NASA source claiming both astronauts were experiencing weight loss, with Williams reportedly more affected than Wilmore.
Dr. Polk again dismissed these claims in multiple media interviews on Thursday. "I've known Suni for 20 years, and she looks the same to me," he told the *New York Times*. "She's in incredible health." He pointed out that fluid shifts caused by weightlessness, coupled with the rigorous exercise routines conducted on the ISS, can result in "morphological changes" that might alter appearance. However, he stressed that "their weight hasn't changed, and their fitness is actually improving."
The speculation surrounding Williams' weight comes amidst broader concerns about the health of three NASA astronauts and a Russian cosmonaut hospitalised after their return from the ISS last month. While NASA hasn't disclosed specifics due to privacy concerns, one crew member required overnight observation.
In conclusion, despite persistent media speculation, NASA's highest medical authority firmly maintains that astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore are in excellent health aboard the ISS. The rumours appear to be based on misinterpretations of photographic evidence and anecdotal accounts, contradicting official statements and the astronauts' own reports.