NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore, originally set to return to Earth in August 2024, will now remain in space until February 2025 due to significant problems with their Boeing Starliner spacecraft. The pair had embarked on an eight-day mission in June 2024, but multiple malfunctions have extended their stay aboard the International Space Station (ISS).
The Boeing Starliner, which was supposed to bring Williams and Wilmore back to Earth, suffered helium leaks and thruster issues. NASA decided to send the Starliner back to Earth uncrewed for safety reasons, delaying the astronauts’ return. Their trip back is now scheduled for early 2025 aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft.
Despite the unexpected extension, both astronauts remain optimistic. Sunita Williams shared her enthusiasm during a recent press conference: “This is my happy place. I love being up here in space.” Her colleague, Barry Wilmore, acknowledged the challenges but also expressed his commitment to the mission: “It’s a tough job, but that’s not why we do it. Maybe we do it because it’s tough.”
Currently sharing the ISS with nine other astronauts, Williams and Wilmore follow a strict daily routine managed by mission control on Earth. Their tasks include maintenance work and scientific experiments, while a portion of their day is dedicated to staying in touch with loved ones. One of the ISS’s compartments has a laptop for communication, and astronauts have small personal areas for items like photos and books.
Living aboard the ISS comes with its unique challenges, including a malfunctioning system that usually recycles urine and sweat into drinking water. For now, the crew must store their urine instead, which adds another layer of complexity to their mission.
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NASA plans to launch a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft by the end of September 2024. Originally set to carry four astronauts, the mission has been adjusted to accommodate Williams and Wilmore’s return. The two astronauts are expected to come back to Earth at the conclusion of the mission in February 2025.
Though they’ll miss the U.S. elections in November, Sunita Williams is excited about voting from space. “It’s a very important duty that we have as citizens, and I’m looking forward to voting from space, which is pretty cool,” she said.
While this delay may be unexpected, NASA’s dedication to ensuring the safety of its astronauts is clear, and both Williams and Wilmore continue to push the boundaries of space exploration. Their extended stay may ultimately provide invaluable experience for future missions.
