COL Anne McClain Commences Two-Month Reconditioning After 148-Day Space Mission

U.S. Army astronaut Colonel Anne McClain has immediately commenced an intensive two-month reconditioning program following her return to Earth on August 9, 2025, after commanding the 148-day SpaceX Crew-10 mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS). This rigorous regimen is designed to address the significant physiological adjustments required after prolonged exposure to microgravity.

Colonel McClain's recent mission, Expedition 73, launched on March 14, 2025, marking her second journey to the orbiting laboratory. As commander of the Crew-10 Dragon, she led a team that included U.S. Air Force Maj. Nichole Ayers, JAXA astronaut Takuya Onishi, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Kirill Peskov. Her cumulative time in space now totals 352 days, underscoring her extensive experience in the orbital environment.

The physical toll of spaceflight is a primary focus of her current recovery. As McClain stated in a recent social media post, > "Reconditioning starts immediately upon our return, no rest for the weary! The balance work is by far harder than the strength work … our small stabilizing muscles and vestibular systems have been pretty dormant." She further noted visible signs of circulatory system readjustment, observing, > "Also note how purple my legs are … my ankles and calves are swollen and the blood vessels are visible at the surface, a sign that my body is not quite adjusted to pumping blood up against the force of gravity."

This specialized recovery training, which will continue daily for several months, is crucial for restoring her body's adaptation to Earth's gravitational pull. The emphasis on balance and the re-engagement of dormant stabilizing muscles is a testament to the comprehensive physiological changes astronauts undergo. Such reconditioning protocols are vital for the long-term health of space travelers and inform future missions, including those aimed at lunar and Martian exploration.