NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, who have been stranded in space for nearly nine months, are expected to return to Earth in the coming weeks, with their departure contingent on the arrival of their replacements at the International Space Station (ISS).
The duo, originally scheduled for a brief mission last June aboard Boeing’s new Starliner capsule, encountered significant technical issues that rendered the spacecraft unfit for crewed travel.
Consequently, their return was postponed, necessitating an alternative means of transportation. They will now return aboard a SpaceX Dragon capsule later this month, joined by NASA’s Nick Hague and Russia’s Alexander Gorbunov, who launched solo in September alongside two unoccupied seats.
Speaking at a news conference on Tuesday, Wilmore noted that while politics inevitably influence space exploration, it had not been a factor in his and Williams' extended stay.
Their return schedule was expedited following a decision to utilise a different SpaceX capsule, a move endorsed by President Donald Trump and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk earlier this year, who attributed prior delays to the previous administration.
Williams, however, took issue with Musk’s suggestion to decommission the ISS within two years, significantly ahead of NASA’s planned 2031 deorbit.
Emphasising the station’s scientific contributions, she remarked, “This place is ticking. It’s just really amazing, so I would say we’re actually in our prime right now. I would think that right now is probably not the right time to say quit, call it quits.”
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Eagerly anticipating her return, Williams expressed excitement at reuniting with her Labrador retrievers. She acknowledged the prolonged wait had been particularly challenging for their families.
“It’s been a roller coaster for them, probably a little bit more so than for us,” she said. “We’re here. We have a mission. We’re just doing what we do every day, and every day is interesting because we’re up in space and it’s a lot of fun.”
The delays in their homecoming were further compounded by the need to ready a new SpaceX capsule, initially intended for their replacements. Last month, NASA resolved to launch the incoming crew aboard a refurbished capsule, bringing forward their departure date to 12 March.
The two teams will share the ISS for approximately a week before Wilmore and Williams commence their return journey.
Both seasoned astronauts and retired Navy captains, Wilmore and Williams have remained steadfast in their commitment to the mission. The duo even conducted a spacewalk together in January.
They will don generic SpaceX flight suits for their return voyage instead of custom-fitted attire, a minor adjustment given the unplanned nature of their trip home.
Wilmore, however, hinted at a personal touch, joking, “We’re just Butch and Suni. Everybody knows who we are by now.”
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