Astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore, who were initially expected to return to Earth after a 10-day mission in June but ended up staying in space for an extended period, are setting the record straight about their situation. The pair launched to the International Space Station (ISS) on Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft, but encountered thruster malfunctions during its approach and docking maneuvers, leading to a delay.
Since then, headlines have lamented the woes of the “stranded astronauts,” but Williams and Wilmore say they’re not feeling abandoned or stuck. In fact, they’re enjoying their time in space and have continued performing their regular duties aboard the ISS.
The pair’s situation gained attention recently when President Donald Trump blamed the Biden administration for “virtually abandoning” them and called on SpaceX CEO Elon Musk to come to their rescue. However, NASA has explained that mission extensions are a normal part of human spaceflight, and Williams and Wilmore have adapted quickly to their extended stay.
“We don’t feel abandoned,” Wilmore said in a recent interview with CNN’s Anderson Cooper. “We don’t feel stuck. We don’t feel stranded.” Instead, they’re focused on completing their mission and returning home safely. NASA has now set a new return date for the Crew-10 mission, which will fly the Crew Dragon capsule Endurance, and the astronauts expect to depart Earth around March 19.
Williams and Wilmore have broken records in space, with Williams becoming the first woman to exceed 250 days in space and Wilmore setting multiple spacewalking records. Despite their extended stay, they’re enjoying the experience and are looking forward to returning home.
The incident highlights the challenges of human spaceflight and the need for accurate communication from NASA and its partners. By setting the record straight, Williams and Wilmore hope to change the rhetoric surrounding stranded astronauts and emphasize the importance of preparation and commitment in space exploration.
Source: https://www.livescience.com/space/space-exploration/we-dont-feel-stranded-astronauts-stuck-in-space-set-the-record-straight