Christina Koch Undergoes Rehabilitation After Artemis II Mission

NASA astronaut Christina Koch is undergoing physical therapy to readjust to Earth's gravity after the Artemis II lunar flyby mission. Koch explained that her vestibular organs, responsible for balance, are not functioning correctly due to the 10-day experience in microgravity. She noted that upon return, astronauts rely heavily on visual cues to orient themselves, making tasks like walking with eyes closed particularly challenging. Koch highlighted that understanding these adaptations can inform treatments for conditions such as vertigo and concussions on Earth. She expressed optimism about the recovery process, stating that the crew is already adapting back to gravity seven days post-splashdown. The Artemis II mission, which included astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Jeremy Hansen, set a new record by traveling 252,756 miles from Earth, surpassing the previous record set by Apollo 13 in 1970.