Sunita Williams will not return to Earth in February next year. Instead, it will take her about a month longer due to the technical difficulties with SpaceX’s Dragon capsule. Originally, Sunita's journey began in June 2024 for a planned 10-day mission, which has now extended to ten months. NASA shared this information via their blog on December 17, 2024.
NASA and SpaceX planned to launch the Crew-10 mission in February. However, this has been delayed. The construction of a new Dragon spacecraft is underway for this mission. Four people will travel to the space station in this capsule. NASA's Commercial Crew Program Manager, Steve Stitch, explained that spacecraft fabrication, assembly, testing, and final integration take time. Sunita and Butch will need to stay at the station for an additional month.
Sunita and Butch Wilmore are currently at the space station, both are safe and healthy. They are actively engaged in research activities and assisting fellow astronauts in various tasks.
Source: aajtak
The length of stay at the space station is nothing to worry about for Sunita and Butch Wilmore. They can comfortably spend another three months on the space station. Currently, there are 9 astronauts on board. This is not an unprecedented situation where astronauts had to extend their stay. However, this will be Sunita’s first unexpected prolonged stay at the station.
The space station currently accommodates 9 astronauts, including Sunita and Wilmore. It is large enough to support more astronauts if needed. The station boasts over six bedroom-like spaces, six sleeping quarters, two bathrooms, and a gym. Additional sleeping arrangements can be made in the spacecraft docked at the station. Recently, a cargo supply was sent to ensure adequate food and water for the astronauts.
Source: aajtak
Spending extended time in space, such as 8 to 10 months, may have consequences. However, many astronauts have spent even longer periods on space missions. Russian cosmonaut Valeri Polyakov holds the record for the longest stay in space, spending 438 days on the Mir Space Station from January 1994 to March 1995. Sunita and Wilmore are set to return from the space station after spending around 250 days. William had previously spent 196 days on a mission in 2006.
Prolonged stays at the space station prompt NASA to study the physiological effects on astronauts. Ongoing programs focus on observing impacts such as muscle weakening and reduced bone density after stays of 3.5 months, eight months, or longer. Long stays in space are also associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular issues.
