NASA is working swiftly to bring back astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, who have been stranded on the International Space Station (ISS) for over 230 days.
The space agency, in collaboration with SpaceX, is doing everything it can to ensure their safe return. This comes after SpaceX founder Elon Musk revealed that former US President Donald Trump had personally asked him to expedite the return of the astronauts.
NASA confirmed that it is prioritising the return of the duo, who have been aboard the ISS since their mission began. Williams and Wilmore were expected to return earlier but faced several delays.
Initially planned for February, their return has now been pushed to March, with NASA and SpaceX working to bring them back in a SpaceX Dragon capsule.
The agency also mentioned preparations for Crew-10's launch to facilitate a smooth transition between expeditions on the space station.
Although the exact date of their return is still pending, both astronauts have been in space far longer than anticipated. Williams, who has already spent over 322 days in space across two missions, was expected to return after an eight-day stint.
However, due to complications with the Starliner, a Boeing spacecraft, their journey was extended significantly. This is their first time aboard a faulty spacecraft, and the mission has now lasted 238 days.
The astronauts’ prolonged stay at the ISS has led to some interesting challenges. Williams, who is 59, spoke with schoolchildren about how difficult it has been to adjust to life in space.
She revealed that she has "been trying to remember what it’s like to walk," indicating how long she has been away from Earth.
She is also scheduled to undertake another spacewalk, her second in the last 12 years, during which she and Wilmore will remove a radio frequency group antenna assembly from the station’s truss.
Additionally, they will collect surface material samples to check for the presence of microorganisms, which could provide valuable insights into life outside Earth.
The two astronauts are also preparing a spare elbow joint for the Canadarm2 robotic arm, which could be crucial for future repairs.
Williams is currently ranked second among female astronauts for total cumulative spacewalk time, with an impressive 50 hours and 40 minutes.
Her perseverance and experience in space continue to inspire many, as she prepares for another significant spacewalk before her return to Earth.
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