On Friday night, SpaceX successfully launched a new crew to the International Space Station (ISS), marking a significant milestone for NASA. This mission sets the stage for astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams to prepare for their return home after an extensive nine-month stay in space.
The latest team consists of NASA astronauts Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, Japan’s Takuya Onishi, and Russia’s Kiril Peskov. They launched from the Kennedy Space Center aboard a SpaceX capsule, with their arrival anticipated late Saturday. This handover will allow Wilmore and Williams to transfer operational responsibilities before their scheduled departure next week, contingent on favorable weather conditions.
Wilmore and Williams initially launched aboard Boeing’s Starliner capsule in June, intended for a brief test mission. However, a series of technical difficulties, including helium leaks and thruster failures, necessitated delays in their return. Eventually, NASA opted to bring them back on a SpaceX mission. Further complications arose due to battery repairs on a new SpaceX capsule, which led the agency to expedite the process by utilizing a refurbished capsule instead.
During their extended mission, Wilmore and Williams have been actively involved in ISS maintenance. Their tasks included fixing a toilet, watering plants, and conducting various scientific experiments. Notably, Suni Williams set a record for the most spacewalking time by a female astronaut, underscoring the important contributions of both astronauts during their extended stay in orbit.
The delay in their return sparked political discussions, with former President Donald Trump and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk suggesting that the previous administration had impeded the astronauts' return. However, both Wilmore and Williams have consistently expressed their support for NASA's decision-making process throughout these challenges.
As their return approaches, both astronauts have shared their excitement about reuniting with their families. Wilmore, who serves as a church elder, is eager to resume his in-person ministry, while Williams looks forward to spending time with her Labrador retrievers. “We appreciate all the love and support from everybody,” Williams remarked earlier this week. “This mission has brought a little attention … but I think the good part is more and more people have been interested in what we’re doing” in the realm of space exploration.
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