Orlando Astronauts Approaching Home After Unexpected Extended Stay in Space
Orlando, FL – After what was initially a short trip to the International Space Station (ISS), two astronauts from Boeing’s Starliner program are getting closer to coming back to Earth. The SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft, carrying NASA astronaut Suni Williams and her colleague Butch Wilmore, has just docked at the ISS, enabling the crew to prepare for their return journey.
SpaceX Crew Dragon Arrives at the ISS
The Crew Dragon capsule, part of a mission known as Crew-9, arrived at the space station at around 5:30 p.m. Eastern Time on Sunday. Alongside Williams and Wilmore, who have been on the ISS longer than expected, were NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov. When the hatch of the Crew Dragon opened at approximately 7:04 p.m. ET, Hague and Gorbunov entered the station to be welcomed by Williams, Wilmore, and the other seven crew members currently on board.
Unexpected Challenges with the Starliner
Williams and Wilmore were initially scheduled to return to Earth after a week-long test mission aboard the Starliner spacecraft. However, complications arose during this mission. Problems such as helium leaks and malfunctioning thrusters led NASA to conclude that the Starliner was too risky for a crew return. Consequently, the Starliner flew back to Earth empty on September 6, leaving Williams and Wilmore on the ISS.
Changes to the Flight Plans
Due to the Starliner’s issues, NASA had to rearrange its flight plans. SpaceX’s Crew-9 mission had originally included different astronauts, but Williams and Wilmore were moved onto this mission. The decision meant they would be on the ISS for much longer than originally intended, taking on responsibilities needed to support operations on the space station.
Spacecraft Issues During Launch
After a smooth launch on Saturday from Cape Canaveral in Florida, SpaceX later revealed some concerns with the Falcon 9 rocket that facilitated the Crew Dragon’s journey. The rocket’s second stage experienced an anomaly during its deorbit burn, causing it to land in the ocean, but not exactly in the targeted area. SpaceX announced they are pausing Falcon 9 flights until they better understand the cause of this issue.
Returning Home in 2024
The current plan for the duo is to remain on the ISS until Crew-9 returns to Earth, which could happen no sooner than February of the following year. NASA’s Commercial Crew Program manager, Steve Stich, mentioned that they evaluated when to rotate the astronauts back down but decided it was more practical to keep them on board until Crew-9’s scheduled return.
Williams and Wilmore, both experienced astronauts, have reportedly adjusted well to their extended stay in space. Williams expressed her enjoyment of the microgravity environment, calling it her “happy place.” Meanwhile, the current crew on the ISS includes NASA’s Don Pettit and Russian crew members Aleksey Ovchinin and Ivan Vagner.
Looking Ahead
The journey back to Earth will mark another milestone for Williams and Wilmore, who have both completed missions to the space station in the past. Their extended stay has also contributed valuable experience and knowledge to NASA’s ongoing partnerships and missions in space. With the upcoming Crew-10 mission set to utilize a new Dragon capsule in February, the stage is set for smooth transitions and continued exploration beyond Earth.
