What is meant to be an eight-day-long mission has turned into a prolonged stay in space with seemingly no end in sight for National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore. The astronauts have been stranded at the International Space Station (ISS) for over 70 days due to technical problems with their?Boeing Starliner?spacecraft. While their return still seems uncertain with no concrete date in sight, let's find out how the stranded astronauts survive.
Initially, Indian-origin Sunita Williams and her colleague Butch Wilmore's suitcases were removed from their spacecraft to make space for some equipment and both only last week got their clothes after the arrival of a supply ship.
The supply ship also delivered extra food supplies and science experiments for the entire nine-person crew at ISS. Additionally, another supply ship will be sent in the next couple of months with more food. Typically astronauts eat freeze-dried and rehydrated food and also have the option of natural food items that are specially packaged for them.
Regarding water, the ISS houses a unique urine-into-drinking water recycling system along with its own oxygen-generating systems.
NASA officials are working round the clock to bring the two astronauts back to Earth and are yet to make a decision on whether to bring them back via their Boeing Starliner or not. While all efforts are being made to detect the root cause of problems and fix their capsule, however,?they are also exploring the option of getting them back via SpaceX's Crew Dragon. The Crew Dragon is set to launch in September 2024 and will make its return in February 2025.
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