Produced by: Tarun Mishra
NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore are experiencing a significant extension of their mission on the International Space Station (ISS), originally set for eight days but now extended to eight months due to technical issues with Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft.
The mission extension is a result of multiple technical problems with Boeing's Starliner, including helium leaks and thruster malfunctions. As a consequence, NASA has rescheduled the astronauts' return to Earth for February 2025, utilizing SpaceX’s Crew Dragon instead of Starliner.
The astronauts are now scheduled to return aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon in February 2025, alongside two crew members from the SpaceX Crew-9 mission. The decision to switch spacecraft underscores ongoing challenges with the Starliner program.
Despite the unexpected mission extension, Sunita Williams' family remains supportive and composed. Her husband, Michael J. Williams, and her mother, Bonnie Pandya, have expressed confidence in her well-being and expertise, highlighting their trust in her abilities as a seasoned astronaut.
In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, Michael J. Williams described the ISS as his wife’s “happy place,” emphasizing her comfort and dedication to her work in space. Bonnie Pandya echoed similar sentiments, stating that she doesn't need to give her daughter any advice, as Sunita is well-prepared for the situation.
Bonnie Pandya shared that she spoke with Sunita two days prior, and her daughter reassured her that everything was under control with a simple message: “Don’t worry about me.”
Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore will continue their duties as part of the Expedition 71/72 crew on the ISS until their return. Their mission will include routine operations and experiments aboard the station.
The Starliner spacecraft, while unable to complete its crewed mission, is set to depart the ISS and perform a controlled autonomous re-entry and landing in early September 2024, marking the next phase in the spacecraft’s testing and development.