NASA Astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore Return to Earth After Eight Months in Space
Image credits: Economic Times
NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore are finally expected to return home on March 19 after spending eight months on the International Space Station (ISS) due to technical issues with their spacecraft. The astronauts have been living on the space station since June 2024 after arriving on a Boeing Co Starliner capsule, becoming the first crew to fly on the vehicle as part of a critical test flight that was meant to last roughly a week. However, Starliner suffered numerous technical issues with its thruster engines during its flight, and NASA decided to bring the Boeing capsule home to Earth empty, with Williams and Wilmore to return on a future SpaceX capsule instead.
The Crew-10 mission will transport NASA astronauts Anne McClain, Nichole Ayers, and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Takuya Onishi and Roscosmos cosmonaut Kirill Peskov, to the ISS for a six-month mission. This will be followed by a week-long handover process during which the current Space Station Commander, Williams, will hand over command to ensure a smooth transition. Williams and Wilmore will board the Dragon spacecraft, which brought the Crew-10 to the ISS, and undock on March 19. Upon their return to Earth, the astronauts will have to readjust to gravity, which is expected to pose a significant challenge, making even simple tasks like lifting a pencil feel like a workout.
During an interview, the astronauts said that they are not "stranded" in low-Earth orbit aboard the ISS nor do they feel "stuck" or "abandoned." Debunking claims by US President Donald Trump and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk that they were "abandoned," Wilmore said that the narrative should be changed to "prepared and committed." Williams agreed, stating that they knew they would probably find some issues with Starliner and that it was not a surprise. The decision to bring the astronauts back to Earth follows Trump and Musk issuing separate statements in January claiming that SpaceX will "go get" two astronauts on the International Space Station "as soon as possible."
The return of Williams and Wilmore is a significant event, and their experience on the ISS will provide valuable insights for future space missions. The astronauts' ability to adapt to the challenges of space travel and their commitment to the mission are a testament to the dedication and expertise of the NASA team. As the space agency continues to push the boundaries of space exploration, the return of Williams and Wilmore marks an important milestone in the journey to explore the vastness of space.
Some of the key details about the mission include:
- Crew-10 mission launch: March 10
- Handover process: week-long
- Williams and Wilmore return: March 19
- Spacecraft: Dragon spacecraft
- Crew members: Anne McClain, Nichole Ayers, Takuya Onishi, and Kirill Peskov
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