NASA Astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore Dismiss ‘Stranded’ Claims, Set for Return in March

NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, who’ve been aboard the Worldwide House Station (ISS) since June 2024, have clarified issues about being “stranded.” Their mission, which was initially anticipated to final ten days, has been prolonged resulting from technical points with Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft. As investigations proceed, Williams and Wilmore will return to Earth aboard SpaceX’s Crew-9 mission, set to depart in March 2025. Regardless of hypothesis, each astronauts have said that they really feel neither deserted nor caught in orbit.

Mission Extension and Technical Challenges

As reported by House.com, based on NASA, the Starliner spacecraft encountered thruster malfunctions throughout docking procedures, prompting intensive evaluation. Following these setbacks, a call was made for Williams and Wilmore to return aboard Crew-9’s Dragon capsule. This adjustment has aligned their return with the standard six-month rotation schedule for astronauts aboard the ISS. The delay has resulted from ongoing work on a brand new Crew Dragon automobile, which has now been swapped for an accessible one to expedite the mission timeline.

Response to ‘Stranded’ Narrative

As per area.com, in a dialog with CNN, Wilmore emphasised that the state of affairs was a deliberate adjustment somewhat than an emergency. He stated that they neither really feel deserted nor dp they really feel caught or stranded. He additional defined that in case of an emergency, all astronauts aboard the ISS have entry to instant return choices. Williams additionally shared her perspective, noting that their prolonged keep has been a chance to adapt and proceed their work as a part of the mission.

Return Timeline and Future Plans

NASA has scheduled Crew-10’s launch for March 12, with Crew-9 anticipated to return roughly per week later. As soon as the transition is full, Williams and Wilmore will conclude their prolonged keep. As preparations proceed, each astronauts have expressed their dedication to finishing their mission goals whereas aboard the ISS.