Sunita Williams stuck in space: Here's how the stranded NASA astronaut is surviving at the ISS
NASA's Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore have been stranded at the International Space Station for over 70 days due to technical malfunctions in their Boeing Starliner and may return via Space X's Crew Dragon in February 2025. Meanwhile, here is what the astronauts eat and drink to survive in space.
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.
The crew worked vein scans and space botany today as @NASA managers provided an update on the @BoeingSpace Crew Flight Test. More... https://t.co/AgYq0Tu1T8 pic.twitter.com/hopQ8lBQD5
¡ª International Space Station (@Space_Station) August 14, 2024
Does Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore have enough supplies in space?
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.
Go inside #Starliner while in flight and autonomously docking to @Space_Station with @NASA_Astronauts Butch Wilmore and @Astro_Suni.
¡ª Boeing Space (@BoeingSpace) July 19, 2024
From launch to docked operations, the spacecraft and its crew accomplished all capability checkouts and 77 flight test objectives for¡ pic.twitter.com/tHEe2maEZE
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.
When will Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore return?
See #Starliner Crew Flight Test astronauts Butch Wilmore and @Astro_Suni give a mission update from @Space_Station Wednesday, July 10, at 11 a.m. ET.
¡ª Boeing Space (@BoeingSpace) July 9, 2024
Then, at 12:30 p.m. ET, @NASA and Starliner leaders will give further CFT updates.
Tune in to both here: https://t.co/O4AoDbL1PR pic.twitter.com/1XaiiQguyH
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.
For more on lifestyle, astrology and health from around the world please visit Indiatimes Lifestyle.
Bhavika Dudeja writes for the Indiatimes Lifestyle section with a passion for all that's up and coming. She brings you engaging and easy-to-follow content about all things interesting, from the latest fashion trends that your favourite celebs are following to what's good for your mind, body and soul.
Read More
