Astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams are set to return to Earth after spending over nine months on the International Space Station (ISS). The pair were initially supposed to be on the ISS for just eight days, but technical issues with their spacecraft led to an extended stay.
The astronauts arrived at the ISS in June 2024 to test a new experimental spacecraft called Starliner. However, they encountered several problems during their mission, including issues with some of the spacecraft’s thrusters and leaks of helium gas in the propulsion system.
Despite these challenges, NASA decided it was not safe for Butch and Suni to return on the Starliner spacecraft. Instead, they opted to bring them back on a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule. This decision has been met with criticism from Boeing, which built the Starliner spacecraft.
The astronauts are expected to begin their journey back to Earth later this week, but the exact timing depends on weather conditions. NASA’s manager of the ISS program, Dana Weigel, said that the agency will take its time over re-entry if weather is not favorable.
The extended stay in space has likely had a personal cost for the astronauts, who have been away from their families and friends for an extended period. Dr. Simeon Barber of the Open University noted that there may have been a significant disruption to family life and a period of upheaval.
Despite the challenges, NASA’s decision to bring Butch and Suni back safely has been praised by experts. The agency prioritized the astronauts’ wellbeing and found a solution that kept them safe.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ce8y62jrwgwo