5 July 2024… When Sunita Williams and Barry Butch Wilmore somehow reached the International Space Station (ISS) in a faulty capsule or spacecraft. The plan was to stay for eight days. But Boeing’s Starliner capsule, which they used to go up, got damaged. By the way, NASA is saying that an attempt will be made to bring them back to Earth in September. But it is possible that the 8-day journey may turn into 8 months. These people will come down in February next year.
Now understand the whole story in small points…
why was there a delay… Sunita Williams‘ return has been delayed due to a helium leak and problems with thrusters on the Boeing Starliner.
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When will I return soon… If everything goes well, both William and Wilmore can be brought back to Earth in September. But NASA has not given the date.
What is the emergency plan… If Starliner is not okay, both will be brought to Earth through SpaceX’s Crew Dragon mission. But this may take time till February 2025.
What is the situation now… Both Sunita and Wilmore are present on the space station. They are healthy. They are doing research. They are helping other astronauts in various tasks.
Is there enough space on the space station for both of them to spend another six months?
There is no danger to Sunita and Butch Wilmore. Both of them can comfortably spend the next six months on the space station. Currently there are seven astronauts on the space station. This is not the first time that astronauts have had to extend their journey. However, this will be Sunita’s first unexpected long stay on the station.
How will Sunita and Willmore return to Earth in September?
A spacecraft is going to go to the International Space Station in September. Three more astronauts including Indian Astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla will go in it. These people will stay there for 14 days. Through SpaceX’s Dragon capsule under the Axiom-4 mission. There is every possibility that when this capsule returns, Sunita and Butch will return to Earth in it. NASA has not shared the future plan.
Will so many people be able to live on the space station?
There are currently seven astronauts on the space station. Sunita and Wilmore are also among them. The space station is so big that it can handle more astronauts. In September, three more people will go along with Indian Astronaut Group Captain Shukla. People are worried about that. But there is no need to be afraid.
The space station has more than six bedrooms. It has six sleeping quarters. There are two bathrooms. There is a gym. The spacecraft in which the astronauts travel is connected to it. If there are more passengers, they can sleep in it as well. Recently cargo has been supplied so that the astronauts do not face any shortage of food and water. When Sunita returns, the station’s garbage will also come with her in the spacecraft. It is released into the atmosphere, which burns and gets destroyed.
Only last week, Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus spacecraft was connected to the space station. It has taken 3700 kg of cargo with it. This includes food and many other items. It has not been opened yet. It is packed. It will remain on the space station till January. It cannot be brought back through this.
Is it okay to spend such a long time in space?
Spending 8 to 10 months in space is not a good thing. But many astronauts have spent more time than this on the space station. The record of spending the most days in space is held by Russian cosmonaut Valery Polyakov. He stayed on the Mir space station for 438 days. From January 1994 to March 1995. This time Sunita and Wilmore will return from the space station after spending about 250 days. William has previously spent 196 days in 2006.
What is the effect on the body after staying in space for so many days?
As soon as a long stay at the space station, NASA starts studying the effects on the body of the astronaut. NASA has a program going on, which studies the effects on the body of staying for 3.5 months, eight months and more. During this time the muscles of the body become weak. The density of bones decreases. There is also a risk of heart-related diseases if one stays for a long time.
Source (PTI) (NDTV) (HINDUSTANTIMES)