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Astronauts Butch “Barry” Widmore and Sunita “Suni” Williams travelled to space on June 5, 2024 with the intent to spend only eight days then something went seriously awry with their Boeing Starliner craft that required them to stay in space until February 2025. It was reported the craft, since its launched, was plagued with issues such as helium leaks, thruster malfunction, and more
Amid concern about the safety and ability of the astronauts to survive in space for the next six months, which was unplanned, the United States’ National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has clarified there will be enough oxygen and food supplies present on the International Space Station (ISS), well within safe limits. The space station is reportedly stocked with enough provisions to support the crew until 2025, inspite of the delays.
According to NASA there is no immediate danger of Wilmore and Williams running short on supplies and the agency is monitoring the situation closely.
As per the official statement, “Additionally, NASA and its space station partners frequently launch resupply missions to the orbiting complex carrying additional supplies and cargo. Recently, a Northrop Grumman Cygnus spacecraft carrying 8,200 pounds of food, fuel, supplies, and science and a Progress resupply spacecraft carrying three tons of cargo arrived at the station.”
The two astronauts are expected to hitch a ride back with the SpaceX Crew and their Dragon capsule which is expected to reach the ISS on September 24. SpaceX will be on a six-month rotation mission and on completion of its mission will return to earth on February 25, 2025.
Meanwhile, Wilmore and Williams have sleeping facilities, gym/exercise equipment, and are staying in touch with their loved ones via email, audio or video calls.
The ISS has sleeping facilities said to be about the size of a phone booth. Each consists of a sleeping bag and a pillow. Because there is no gravity the astronauts can sleep on the floor, wall and ceiling.
Notably, Wilmore and Williams are continuing to do work while in space.
The Boeing Starliner, collaborated with NASA, to develop this space craft with the goal to carry astronauts to and from the Space Station and compete with Musk’s SpaceX in making routine trips.
As for the Boeing Starliner; it will return autonomously to Earth in September, thereby making way for the SpaceX Crew-9 to dock at the ISS.
This story, fascinating and complex though it be, confirms man’s determination to explore and self-correct in the quest to better understand and probably conquer the Universe.
