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Indian-American astronaut Sunita Williams and her colleague Barry "Butch" Wilmore have been stuck aboard the International Space Station (ISS) for over six months due to technical problems with Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft. Initially planned for a brief eight-day mission, their stay at the ISS was significantly extended after the Starliner returned to Earth with unresolved issues.
NASA's efforts to bring them back have hit yet another delay, as the Crew-10 mission, which was supposed to replace Crew-9 and bring Williams and Wilmore home, has been postponed to no earlier than March 2025.
Why Are They Stranded?
Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore were originally part of a mission expected to last only eight days. However, during their spacecraft's approach to the ISS, five of the 28 thrusters on Boeing's Starliner malfunctioned. This critical failure forced an extension of their stay aboard the station.
Initially, NASA had planned to return them using SpaceX's Crew-9 Dragon capsule, scheduled to launch in February 2025. However, recent developments have delayed Crew-10, the mission responsible for relieving Crew-9 and the stranded astronauts. NASA announced that Crew-10’s launch would now take place no earlier than late March 2025 to allow additional time to prepare the Dragon spacecraft.
NASA’s Statement on the Delay
NASA explained the delay in a blog post, citing the complexities involved in preparing a new spacecraft. Steve Stich, NASA’s Commercial Crew Programme Manager, stated,
“Fabrication, assembly, testing, and final integration of a new spacecraft is a painstaking endeavour that requires great attention to detail. We appreciate the hard work by the SpaceX team to expand the Dragon fleet and the flexibility of the station program and expedition crews as we work together to complete the new capsule’s readiness for flight.”
The extended timeline is intended to meet NASA’s 2025 objectives and ensure all safety measures are in place.
Prolonged Stay Raises Health Concerns
Sunita Williams' extended time in space has raised concerns about her health. Prolonged exposure to the microgravity environment of space affects the human body in significant ways, including muscle loss, bone density reduction, and metabolic changes.
Images of Williams released earlier this year showed noticeable weight loss, sparking public concern. Astronauts typically require a higher calorie intake in space due to the changes in their metabolisms. However, NASA spokesperson Jimi Russell assured the public that Williams and the other astronauts aboard the ISS are in “good health” and continue to undergo
routine medical evaluations.
Festive Moments Amid Challenges
Despite the extended mission and associated challenges, Williams has maintained her morale. A festive photo of her and colleague Don Pettit wearing Santa hats inside the ISS’s Columbus laboratory was shared by NASA’s Johnson Space Center, spreading holiday cheer. The post was captioned,
“Another day, another sleigh. NASA Astronauts Don Pettit and Suni Williams pose for a fun holiday season portrait while speaking on a ham radio.”
What’s Next?
With the Crew-10 mission now delayed to March 2025, Williams and Wilmore are expected to spend nearly ten months in space instead of the planned eight days. NASA aims to ensure their safety and complete the necessary preparations for a successful return mission. Meanwhile, both astronauts continue to adapt and contribute to ongoing research aboard the ISS as they await their journey back to Earth.
