The unexpected stretched eight-month mission is considerably longer than initially planned. NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore are up in space at International Space Station since June 5 2024. Initially planned to return in just a week, the astronauts are stuck in space due to a faulty Boeing Starliner spacecraft that landed empty on Earth recently. The return of the two astronauts is scheduled for February 2025.
The news of the delay in their return due to certain fault sent chilling reminder of space shuttle Columbia, carrying yet another Indian astronaut Kalpana Chawla which exploded while entering the earth’s atmosphere. The incident still remains afresh in the memories of every Indian, thereby praying for the safe return of Williams.
According to NASA, “During Starliner’s flight to the space station, some of the spacecraft’s thrusters did not perform as expected and several leaks in Starliner’s helium system were observed. Since then, NASA and Boeing have taken additional time to learn more about the spacecraft through in-flight and ground testing and extensive data analysis before making the best, safest decision on how and when to return the crew home. This analysis included processes and organizations established as a result of the space shuttle Columbia accident.” Notably, NASA has also revealed that Williams and Wilmore are not alone at the ISS. They both have now integrated with the Expedition 71 crew, which consists of NASA astronauts Matthew Dominick, Mike Barratt, Jeanette Epps, and Tracy C. Dyson, as well as Roscosmos cosmonauts Oleg Kononenko, Nikolai Chub, and Alexander Grebenkin. Since the NASA astronauts have to spend around 6 more months in space, they have been busy with different things. According to NASA, in addition to supporting station research, and maintenance, they have been experimenting with new ways to produce fiber optic cables and growing plants aboard the orbiting complex.
The planned eight-day mission was cut short when technical issues, including helium leaks and problems with the spacecraft’s reaction control thrusters, emerged. After extensive testing and analysis, NASA deemed it too risky to return the astronauts on Starliner, prioritising their safety. Instead, Williams and Wilmore will now return on a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft as part of the Crew-9 mission, scheduled to launch later this month.
Williams and Wilmore are expected to spend approximately 240 days in space, placing them seventh on the list of longest continuous space missions. However, when combined with her previous missions, Williams’ total time in space will exceed 560 days, potentially securing her the second spot on the list of astronauts with the most cumulative days in space.
Despite the unexpected extension, Williams and Wilmore are safe and well-equipped on the ISS. The station is a constantly crewed platform with regular resupply missions, ensuring the astronauts have access to essential resources and supplies. Surely, NASA is taking extra step in the safety and security of the two astronauts, the world too, is praying for their safe return.
