Two astronauts who are currently stranded on the International Space Station are pushing back against the narrative that they’re being held against their will. Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, who launched to the orbiting laboratory last summer, say they don’t feel “stuck” despite an extended stay due to technical issues with their spacecraft.
Wilmore and Williams were originally supposed to return home after a 10-day mission, but issues with the Boeing Starliner’s thrusters and helium leaks forced them to remain on board. Now, their trip has turned into a months-long odyssey.
The astronauts acknowledge that they’ve been called “stuck” and “abandoned” by some, including President Donald Trump and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk. However, Wilmore says, “That’s not what our human spaceflight program is about.” The pair are committed to the mission and are working to resolve the issues with the spacecraft.
Wilmore and Williams will return home next month on a SpaceX Crew-9 capsule, which has been fast-tracked after a delay in departure. They hope to change the narrative surrounding their situation by emphasizing their commitment to the mission.
Source: https://www.independent.co.uk/space/nasa-astronauts-boeing-stuck-space-b2698576.html