ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, January 23, 1997 TAG: 9701230039
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-6 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: CAPE CANAVERAL, FLA.
Astronaut John Blaha returned to Earth on Wednesday after a punishing four months aboard the Russian space station Mir, and instead of playing the hero, allowed himself to be carried off shuttle Atlantis on a stretcher.
It was the first time an astronaut agreed to be carried off after a long spaceflight. The decision delighted NASA doctors, who wanted to gauge immediately the effects of long-term weightlessness on the body, including dizziness and weakened bones and muscles.
Paramedics gently carried the weak Blaha onto an airport-style people-mover minutes after Atlantis landed with its crew of six. He was greeted by hugs and kisses from his wife of 30 years, Brenda, and their 23-year-old daughter, Carolyn.
The 54-year-old former combat and test pilot said he was ``absolutely stunned'' at how heavy he felt when Atlantis landed and how wobbly he still felt several hours later.
``I mean, its like I can't believe it. I feel very wobbly. I don't feel like I'm capable of walking very good,'' said the five-time space flier. ``I've improved a little bit. But right after wheels stop, when the orbiter stopped, I couldn't even raise my leg an inch. It wouldn't even move. It felt very heavy.''
He didn't mind shedding his Right Stuff image for the sake of science.
Blaha's two predecessors on Mir, including Shannon Lucid, up a record six months, walked off the shuttle even though doctors preferred they didn't.
- Associated Press
LENGTH: Short : 38 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: (headshot) Blaha. color.by CNB