Indian-origin astronaut Sunita Williams and her colleague, Butch Wilmore, have been stranded at the International Space Station for over five months after Boeing's faulty Starliner spacecraft malfunctioned. Newly released images of Williams show a drastic weight loss and sunken cheeks due to the prolonged stay in space. NASA employees have expressed concern for her health and are working on stabilizing her weight loss. Astronauts have to eat twice as many calories as regular people while following a special food packaging methods and exercising for two hours daily to maintain their health in space.
NASA astronaut Sunita Williams, who has been aboard the International Space Station for an extended six-month mission due to a malfunction with the Starliner spacecraft, is showing concerning signs of health decline. Recent photos reveal weight loss and potential nutritional deficiencies, as observed by a pulmonologist. While NASA assures the public that all astronauts undergo routine medical evaluations, the recent hospitalization of Crew-8 upon their return reminds us of the health risks associated with long-term space travel.
NASA faces uncertainty as it awaits Boeing's ability to resolve certification issues plaguing its Starliner spacecraft. After propulsion problems during Starliner's first crewed test flight in June 2024, NASA had to delay the next potential mission to the ISS to 2025. With the spacecraft's certification still incomplete, NASA is questioning if a second test flight will be necessary before regular missions can proceed. As a result, astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore will now return to Earth on SpaceX's Crew Dragon in 2025, instead of the originally planned Starliner-1 mission. NASA's ISS operations will continue uninterrupted with the upcoming Crew-10 mission in February 2025, featuring astronauts Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers.
Despite the excitement of an extended stay in space, NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore face several health challenges due to their prolonged exposure to microgravity. From fluid shifts and bone loss to visual impairments and increased radiation levels, this mission highlights the impact of long-duration space travel on human health. As space agencies continue to research and implement strategies to manage these risks, we gain a better understanding of the effects of microgravity on the human body.
Veteran astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore are currently docked at the International Space Station after facing multiple setbacks on their return journey in the Starliner spacecraft. NASA, along with the manufacturer Boeing, is conducting investigations and tests to ensure the safety and success of their return trip. However, the astronauts remain optimistic and confident that the spacecraft will bring them back to Earth without any problems.
On July 4, NASA astronaut Sunita Williams gave a touching message to the US embassy in Delhi from the International Space Station. She highlighted the successful partnership between India and the US in space exploration and expressed optimism for future collaborations. Williams also mentioned the joint NISAR mission between NASA and ISRO and the growing ties between the two countries in astronaut training. Fellow astronauts Tracy C Dyson and Jeanette J Epps also joined her in emphasizing the importance of international cooperation in advancing humanity's reach for the sky.
Sunita 'Suni' Williams and Barry 'Butch' Wilmore, the first human crew on the test mission of Boeing's Starliner spacecraft, are facing a longer stay in space than scheduled due to technical issues with the spacecraft. As engineers work to resolve these issues, the astronauts have expressed confidence in the Starliner's ability to bring them home safely. However, NASA has not provided a projected return date for Williams and Wilmore.
NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore will be addressing the media on July 10 from the International Space Station to discuss their delayed Boeing Crew Flight Test mission. The mission, meant to last a week, has been extended to two months due to faults in the spacecraft. Viewers can tune in to NASA's YouTube channel, app, or TV for the media conference. No return date has been announced for the astronauts, but they are collecting data and conducting system checkouts while they are in space.
With Indian-origin astronaut Sunita “Suni” Williams onboard, NASA and Boeing are contemplating extending the planned 45-day mission duration of the Starliner spacecraft to 90 days. This would allow more time for necessary tests and data review, as well as a ground test in New Mexico to investigate thruster malfunctions during the spacecraft's journey to the International Space Station (ISS). The extended mission would also give astronauts more time to perform routine tasks and conduct experiments while NASA and Boeing continue to evaluate the Starliner's propulsion system performance.
Technical issues with Boeing's Starliner capsule have caused NASA to reschedule the planned return of veteran astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams from the International Space Station. With five helium leaks, maneuvering thruster and propellant valve failures, the return date has been pushed back multiple times. The latest targeted return date is July 6, extending the mission from eight days to a month.