New York: In an unexpected turn of events, NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore will remain aboard the International Space Station (ISS) for another five months after their spacecraft, the Boeing Starliner, returned to Earth without them. The astronauts, who have already spent over three months in space, will now continue their mission until February 2025, when they are scheduled to return via SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft.
The technical issues that plagued the Starliner spacecraft caused a series of delays to the astronauts’ return journey, leading to NASA’s decision to extend their mission. The spacecraft returned empty, marking a significant moment in the ongoing space mission.
In their first press conference following the return of Starliner, Williams and Wilmore expressed both disappointment and resilience. “It was very sad for us to see the Boeing Starliner go back to Earth without us,” they said. Despite the setback, they remain hopeful. “We are looking forward to the next opportunity,” Williams added.
When asked about their feelings towards Boeing and NASA following the Starliner’s technical glitches, Wilmore remained optimistic, saying, “We move forward and do things that are out of the ordinary.” Pointing to the NASA logo on Williams’ shirt, he added, “It represents what we stand for.”
The astronauts’ mission, which was initially expected to last just eight days, has now stretched into an eight-month endeavour. When asked about the extended stay, Wilmore reassured reporters that they were prepared. “From 8 days to 8 months, we’ll give our best,” he said.
As the United States prepares for the presidential election in November, the astronauts revealed their plans to participate in the democratic process from space. “We are planning to vote from space,” Williams remarked with a smile, adding, “How different it would be if we vote from space.”
NASA’s August 24 announcement confirmed that Williams and Wilmore will now be part of the Crew 9 mission, returning to Earth early next year. Despite the Starliner’s solo return, the astronauts remain committed to completing their extended mission aboard the ISS.
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