Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore Might Not Be Returning to Earth Until February 2025

In June, Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore became the first crew to test Boeing’s new Starliner, with plans to return to Earth within a week. However, after docking at the International Space Station (ISS), the capsule encountered thruster malfunctions and a helium leak, causing thier return to Earth to be delayed.

NASA To Use SpaceX Dragon Capsule

However, NASA is using the SpaceX Dragon capsule, a proven and reusable spacecraft, as an alternative to return these astronauts. As Dragon’s next mission has been delayed, It is said that Williams and Wilmore will remain stuck at the ISS at least until February 2025. 

The delay questions several concerns regarding the mission and the well-being of the astronauts and how equipped the ISS is to host these astronauts for the next six months. The longer exposure to microgravity on the ISS can make the astronauts suffer from health-related issues such as bone density reduction, and vision-related issues, and are also at a higher risk of cancer due to DNA damage, as per reports. 

These are the reasons why space exploration missions are kept short and do not last more than a few weeks.

“We Have Other Options Open”

“Our prime option is to return Butch and Suni on Starliner,” Steve Stich, manager of Nasa’s Commercial Crew Program, said. “However, we have done the requisite planning to make sure we have other options open.”

The ISS measures 356 feet (109 meters), about the size of a football stadium, and has a living space comparable to a six-bedroom house, though without luxury. It includes oxygen-generation units that recycle exhaled oxygen and advanced systems that convert moisture and urine into potable water.

Seven More Astronauts in Space Station

There are seven more astronauts in the space station except Williams and Wilmore, which include four from America and three from Russia.

 ISS includes some popular food choices like barbecued beef brisket, vegetables, eggs, and even dessert. These are refilled often, on August 6,  refilled by the Northrop Grumman Cygnus NG-21 cargo spacecraft,  carrying food, and additional essentials to the astronauts.

Although there are no immediate challenges for Williams and Wilmore. However, the wait for their return to Earth continues to be unknown.

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