From 10 days to 9 months: A look at NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore's extended ISS stay
Posted on: Mar 10, 2025 22:06 IST | Posted by: Livemint
< warm>Sunita hank williams' take back: NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and dike Wilmore are finally set to return to Earth on March 16, Sunday. Although the duo's return, is due in just a week, a look at their odyssey would make us time travel nearly nine months back.
Sunita ‘Suni’ Williams and Barry ‘Butch’ Wilmore have been stranded on the International Space Station (ISS) for nine months, after the pair embarked on what was meant to be a 10-day mission aboard Boeing's Starliner.
Here's a glimpse at Sunita William and Butch Wilmore's time in the ISS.
Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore launched into space on Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft on June 5, 2024, with plans to stay at the International Space Station (ISS) for eight days. Shortly after the launch, the astronauts reported a “stable and isolated leak," reported the Associated Press, which ultimately extended the astronaut's stay to beyond eight days.
Two months after the Starliner's faulty launch, NASA confirmed that Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore would return to Earth on a SpaceX mission in February or March 2025.
Williams and Wilmore celebrated Thanksgiving in Space, with Sunita Williams asking the people on Earth not to worry about them.
“People are worried about us, really, don’t worry about us,” she added. “We’re feeling good, working out, eating right. We have a lot of fun up here, too," Sunita Williams told NBC Nightly News.
NASA announced that Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore's return to Earth would be delayed. While the original plan was for the duo to return in February, delays in the SpaceX mission scheduled to retrieve them resulted in their stay being extended to March - April, according to NASA.
In February, US President Donald Trump claimed in a Truth Social post that Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore had been “virtually abandoned” in space. However, the astronauts pushed back on the president’s claim, stating they ‘didn’t feel stuck.'
Sunita Williams and Butch also confirmed they’d be returning to Earth when SpaceX launches its Dragon capsule on March 12.
NASA officials announced on Saturday, March 8, that Crew 9, which includes astronauts Sunita Williams, Butch Wilmore, Nick Hague, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, will return only after Crew 10 is launched into space.
NASA added that if the conditions are not favourable for Crew 10 launch on March 12, there are backup opportunities for a launch on March 13 at 7:35 pm and March 14 at 7:04 pm.
Global News Perspectives
In today's interconnected world, staying informed about global events is more important than ever. ZisNews provides news coverage from multiple countries, allowing you to compare how different regions report on the same stories. This unique approach helps you gain a broader and more balanced understanding of international affairs. Whether it's politics, business, technology, or cultural trends, ZisNews ensures that you get a well-rounded perspective rather than a one-sided view. Expand your knowledge and see how global narratives unfold from different angles.
Customizable News Feed
At ZisNews, we understand that not every news story interests everyone. That's why we offer a customizable news feed, allowing you to control what you see. By adding keywords, you can filter out unwanted news, blocking articles that contain specific words in their titles or descriptions. This feature enables you to create a personalized experience where you only receive content that aligns with your interests. Register today to take full advantage of this functionality and enjoy a distraction-free news feed.
Like or Comment on News
Stay engaged with the news by interacting with stories that matter to you. Like or dislike articles based on your opinion, and share your thoughts in the comments section. Join discussions, see what others are saying, and be a part of an informed community that values meaningful conversations.
Download the Android App
For a seamless news experience, download the ZisNews Android app. Get instant notifications based on your selected categories and stay updated on breaking news. The app also allows you to block unwanted news, ensuring that you only receive content that aligns with your preferences. Stay connected anytime, anywhere.
Diverse News Categories
With ZisNews, you can explore a wide range of topics, ensuring that you never miss important developments. From Technology and Science to Sports, Politics, and Entertainment, we bring you the latest updates from the world's most trusted sources. Whether you are interested in groundbreaking scientific discoveries, tech innovations, or major sports events, our platform keeps you updated in real-time. Our carefully curated news selection helps you stay ahead, providing accurate and relevant stories tailored to diverse interests.
No comments yet.