Sunita Williams describes ISS as her ‘Happy Place’
Indian-origin astronaut Sunita Williams and NASA colleague Butch Wilmore began an eight-day mission aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft on June 5, 2024. However, due to technical issues, their stay at the International Space Station (ISS) has been extended to eight months. Although Starliner returned to Earth last week without them due to some issues, both astronauts will remain on the ISS and are expected to return in February 2025 on Elon Musk’s SpaceX Crew-9 flight.
Williams’ perspective on the delay
In a video press conferenceSunita Williams shared her thoughts on the unexpected delay, describing the ISS as her “happy place.” She said that living in space was not a difficult adjustment because of her previous experiences. Although she initially hoped to complete the Starliner mission and return early, she remains optimistic about the opportunity ahead of her.
Challenges in Starliner’s return
Butch Wilmore noted that while there were disagreements about returning to the Starliner, time constraints and unresolved technical issues led to their continued stay. He believes their current situation is for the best, given the safety concerns surrounding the Starliner.
Voices from space
Sunita Williams also acknowledged that while her extended stay has caused some nervousness, especially given her family plans, she remains focused on the mission. Both astronauts expressed their anticipation of casting their votes from space in the 2024 U.S. presidential election, which was between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump.
Technical problems with Starliner
The Starliner spacecraft experienced multiple thruster failures and helium leaks during its approach to the ISS, which prevented it from delivering enough thrust to safely return to Earth with the astronauts. As a result, NASA and Boeing decided that the Starliner would return empty, forcing Williams and Wilmore to wait for their return with SpaceX.
