Sunita Williams will be returning to Earth next February via SpaceX's Dragon Crew Capsule, as announced by the American space agency NASA. NASA Chief Bill Nelson confirmed that both astronauts will return safely with Crew-9.
On July 5, 2024, Sunita Williams and Barry Butch Wilmore reached the International Space Station (ISS) with the help of a defective capsule or spacecraft. They planned to stay for eight days, but the Boeing Starliner Capsule, used for the trip, malfunctioned. Their mission has now extended to eight months, and they are expected to return next February.
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Source: aajtak
The Full Story...
Reasons for the Delay...
Sunita Williams' return has been delayed due to helium leaks and thruster issues in Boeing's Starliner.
Emergency Plan...
If the Starliner is not fixed, both astronauts will be brought back to Earth through SpaceX's Crew Dragon mission, which could take until February 2025.
Current Status...
Sunita and Wilmore remain on the space station, healthy and conducting research while assisting other astronauts with various tasks.
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Can They Spend Six More Months on the Space Station?
There is no immediate danger to Sunita and Butch Wilmore, who can comfortably stay another six months on the space station. Currently, there are seven astronauts on the ISS. It's not the first time astronauts have had to extend their stay. However, it will be Sunita's first unexpectedly lengthy stay on the station.
Source: aajtak
Is the Space Station Capable of Hosting So Many People?
The space station currently houses seven astronauts, including Sunita and Wilmore. The ISS is large enough to accommodate more astronauts comfortably. With the arrival of three more astronauts in September with Indian Astronaut Group Captain Shukla, there are concerns, but there's nothing to fear.
The space station features more than six bedrooms, six sleeping quarters, and two bathrooms, including a gym. The spacecraft that delivers astronauts remains attached to the station and can be used for sleeping if necessary. Recently, a cargo supply was sent to ensure adequate food and supplies. When Sunita returns, she will also bring station waste back to Earth, which disintegrates in the atmosphere.
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Last week, Northrup Grumman’s Cygnus spacecraft docked with the space station. It brought 3700 kilograms of cargo, including food and other items. It has not yet been opened and will remain on the station until January. However, it cannot be used for return.
Is It Safe to Spend Such Long Durations in Space?
Spending 8 to 10 months in space is not ideal, but many astronauts have spent even longer durations on the space station. The record for the longest mission is held by Russian cosmonaut Valery Polyakov, who spent 438 days on the Mir space station from January 1994 to March 1995. This time, Sunita and Wilmore will spend around 250 days on the ISS. Williams has previously spent 196 days in space during 2006.
What Are the Effects of Prolonged Space Missions?
Upon extended stays on the space station, NASA studies the effects on astronauts' bodies. The ongoing program examines the impacts of 3.5-month stays versus those of eight months or more. Prolonged stays can weaken muscles, reduce bone density, and increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
