Astronauts Reveal Shocking Body Changes After Returning from Space – Artemis II Crew Shares Emotional, Physical and Technical Insights

Victor Glover, NASA astronaut and pilot of the Artemis II mission, shared personal reflections on the physical and emotional experience of returning from space during a recent interview. Speaking from his home in California, Glover described the sensation of re-entry as feeling “like being thrown backward off a skyscraper,” capturing the intense forces astronauts endure during descent. He spoke candidly about the challenges of readjusting to Earth’s gravity, noting that the body undergoes significant changes after extended time in microgravity. “There’s something I’m not ready to talk about yet,” Glover said, hinting at deeper, personal impacts of spaceflight that remain private for now. His comments came shortly after the Artemis II mission concluded in April 2026, during which he became the first person of color to travel to the vicinity of the Moon. Glover, a veteran of the SpaceX Crew-1 mission to the International Space Station in 2020, emphasized the physical toll of space travel, including muscle atrophy, fluid shifts, and balance issues that persist upon return. He too reflected on the emotional weight of the journey, recalling a moment when he saw a cross outside upon landing—an experience that moved him to tears, though he did not elaborate further on its significance. As part of NASA’s Artemis program, Glover’s role on Artemis II marked a historic milestone in lunar exploration. The mission, which circled the Moon without landing, tested critical systems for future crewed landings and deep space habitation. His background as a naval aviator and test pilot, with over 3,000 flight hours across 40 aircraft types, contributed to his readiness for the high-stakes mission. While technical evaluations of the Artemis II heat shield are ongoing, early data indicates strong performance during atmospheric re-entry. Engineers continue to analyze telemetry to validate the spacecraft’s thermal protection system, a key component for ensuring astronaut safety on future missions to the lunar surface and beyond. Glover’s openness about the human side of spaceflight offers a rare glimpse into the realities astronauts face beyond the headlines—highlighting not just technological achievement, but the profound physical and psychological journey of leaving and returning to Earth.