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- Published: October 30, 2024 05:46
New Delhi: NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore who travelled to the International Space Station in June have been unable to come back after their boring space shuttle experienced thruster failure. The 2 astronauts have been staying in the ISS since June and will likely return early next year on return to Earth on a SpaceX-crewed Dragon mission,
Earlier, NASA determined that the issues with Boeing spacecraft’s propulsion system made it risky for both Sunita and Butch to make the long trip back home. Subsequently, their stay in space was extended to around 8 months. Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore will continue their ISS works and are expected to return to Earth in February next year.
Are the NASA astronauts really struck?
While the astronauts continue their work in the ISS space station, one cannot help but wonder why it is difficult for a space agency like NASA to return their astronauts from space. But the million-dollar question is are the two really struck in space?
For the unversed, Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams are not technically stuck, nor are they alone. They are safe on the International Space Station (ISS), which is appropriately equipped and stocked with essentials.
The ISS has been a stopover destination for cosmonauts and astronauts who want to conduct space research. Moreover, the ISS is a spacious space station with all the requisite supplies to make an astronaut comfortable for 6-8 months. Naturally, the space agency has shown no urgency in bringing back the astronauts.
Furthermore, according to NASA reports both astronauts are not struck permanently in space. The Crew Dragon which will bring Sunita Williams back can ferry up to seven astronauts, but NASA has so far used it for no more than four astronauts. As such Sunit and Wilmore’s stay in space is merely extending rather than being stuck there permanently.
