Synopsis
NASA is collaborating with SpaceX to ensure the safe return of astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Willmore from the ISS, where they have been for 238 days. Elon Musk revealed that President Trump requested their prompt return.Key Takeaways
- NASA and SpaceX are working together for a swift return of astronauts.
- Elon Musk confirmed the involvement of President Trump in the return mission.
- Williams and Willmore have been in space for an extended duration of 238 days.
- Preparations for the Crew-10 launch are underway.
- Williams is expected to conduct a spacewalk shortly.
New Delhi, Jan 30 (NationPress) NASA announced on Thursday that it is "working diligently" in collaboration with SpaceX to ensure the safe return of Indian-origin astronaut Sunita Williams and astronaut Butch Willmore, who have been aboard the International Space Station (ISS) for an extended period of 238 days.
This statement follows comments made by billionaire and SpaceX founder Elon Musk, who revealed that U.S. President Donald Trump had requested his assistance in facilitating the prompt return of both astronauts.
According to Musk, it is "unfortunate" that the duo has been "stranded" at the ISS for such a long duration.
In a message shared on social media platform X, NASA stated, "NASA and SpaceX are diligently working to ensure the safe return of the agency’s SpaceX Crew-9 astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore at the earliest opportunity."
The space agency also mentioned that preparations are underway for the launch of Crew-10 to facilitate a handover between expeditions.
However, NASA has yet to announce the confirmed date for their return.
Musk emphasized that NASA had involved SpaceX several months ago to facilitate the return of both astronauts as part of the Crew-9 mission.
Williams has accumulated over 322 days in space across her two missions.
She, along with fellow NASA astronaut Butch Wilmore, made history by being the first to operate the flawed Starliner, developed by Boeing, in June 2024.
What began as an eight-day mission on the ISS has now extended to 238 days in space for the astronaut duo.
They were initially expected to return in February; however, this has been postponed by another month. They are now projected to return to Earth aboard a SpaceX Dragon capsule in March.
During a recent interaction with students from a U.S. school, Williams shared insights about life aboard the space station and mentioned that she has been "trying to remember what it's like to walk."
The 59-year-old NASA astronaut is also anticipated to conduct her second spacewalk on Thursday at 6:30 PM. This will be her second spacewalk in the last 12 years.
During this mission, Wilmore and Williams are set to remove a radio frequency group antenna assembly from the station’s truss and collect surface material samples for analysis from the Destiny laboratory and the Quest airlock to investigate potential microorganisms on the exterior of the orbital complex, as stated by NASA.
They will also be preparing a spare elbow joint for the Canadarm2 robotic arm in case it requires replacement.
With a total of 50 hours and 40 minutes, she ranks second for the highest cumulative spacewalk time by a female astronaut.
