Indian-American astronaut Sunita Williams and her colleague Barry Wilmore have been stuck at the International Space Station for six months due to a malfunctioning spacecraft. Their rescue mission has been further delayed as NASA announced a delay in the return flight on SpaceX's Crew-9 Dragon capsule. They are now expected to spend close to ten months in space, raising concerns about their health as astronauts require twice as many calories in space due to changes in their metabolism. NASA's Commercial Crew Programme Manager has commended the SpaceX team for their efforts in preparing a new spacecraft for the mission.
International Space Station Crew Faces Extended Stay Amidst Malfunctioning Spacecraft
Indian-American astronaut Sunita Williams and her NASA colleague Barry Wilmore, part of the International Space Station (ISS) Expedition 65 crew, have been stranded in space for an extended period due to a technical issue with their scheduled return spacecraft.
Boeing Starliner Malfunction and Rescue Mission Delay
The astronauts were initially set to return to Earth on Boeing's Starliner spacecraft, which was scheduled to launch in May 2022. However, a malfunction in the spacecraft's propulsion system during an uncrewed test flight in 2021 forced NASA to postpone the rescue mission.
SpaceX Crew-9 Dragon Capsule Return Delays
NASA subsequently planned to use SpaceX's Crew-9 Dragon capsule as a substitute for the Starliner. The Crew-9 mission was set to launch in September 2022, but has since been pushed back due to unspecified issues with the spacecraft.
Extended Stay and Health Concerns
As a result, Williams and Wilmore are now expected to spend close to ten months in space, significantly longer than their initial six-month mission. This extended stay raises concerns about their health, as astronauts require twice as many calories in space due to changes in their metabolism. NASA has expressed confidence in the astronauts' ability to adapt to the extended spaceflight.
Commercial Crew Program Manager Commends SpaceX
Despite the delays, NASA's Commercial Crew Program Manager has praised the SpaceX team for their efforts in preparing a new spacecraft for the rescue mission. SpaceX is working diligently to resolve the technical issues and return the astronauts to Earth safely.
Top 5 FAQs and Answers
1. Why are Williams and Wilmore stuck on the ISS? A: Due to a malfunction in the Boeing Starliner spacecraft, scheduled to return them to Earth.
2. When are they now expected to return to Earth? A: Close to ten months after their initial return date, around March 2023.
3. What are the health concerns related to the extended stay? A: Astronauts require twice as many calories in space, and their metabolism changes, which can pose health risks.
4. Why was the SpaceX Crew-9 mission delayed? A: NASA has not yet specified the reasons for the delay.
5. What is NASA's response to the delays? A: NASA is confident in the astronauts' ability to adapt to the extended spaceflight and has praised SpaceX for their efforts in preparing a new spacecraft.
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