Another blow for astronauts Sunita Williams and Wilmore
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In a frustrating turn of events, the much-anticipated rescue mission for NASA astronauts Sunita "Suni" Williams and Barry "Butch" Wilmore has been delayed once again
• NASA's space rescue mission delayed again
• Astronauts stuck after boeing Starliner’s failed June 5 launch
• NASA considers SpaceX capsule for replacement crew to ISS
In a frustrating turn of events, the much-anticipated rescue mission for NASA astronauts Sunita "Suni" Williams and Barry "Butch" Wilmore has been delayed once again, pushing their return to Earth to Spring 2025. Stranded on the International Space Station (ISS) since their June 5 launch aboard Boeing's ill-fated Starliner, the duo's interstellar mission—originally slated for just one week—has now stretched into a nearly 10-month ordeal.
The astronauts' plight began when their Starliner capsule, plagued by technical failures including leaks and thruster malfunctions, was deemed unsafe for re-entry. Despite returning to Earth without its crew, the spacecraft's shortcomings forced NASA to seek alternatives. After a lengthy standoff with Boeing, NASA turned to SpaceX, led by billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, for a solution. SpaceX swiftly rearranged its Crew-9 mission to accommodate the stranded astronauts, clearing two seats aboard its Crew Dragon capsule.
Initially planned for February 2025, the mission’s timeline has now been pushed further, with Williams and Wilmore expected to touch down by late March or early April. According to NASA, the delay is due to additional time required to prepare a new capsule for liftoff. NASA considered using another SpaceX capsule to deploy the replacement crew to the ISS but ultimately chose to extend Williams and Wilmore’s stay instead.
While the astronauts await their long-overdue homecoming, they have embraced their roles as space-bound Santas. Following a subdued Thanksgiving celebration in orbit, the crew is gearing up for a weightless Christmas, complete with video calls to loved ones and holiday festivities aboard the ISS. With SpaceX now in charge of the rescue, all eyes are on the new capsule's successful deployment and the duo's long-awaited journey back to Earth.
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