Sunita Williams Not Coming Back This Year As 8-Day Mission Extends to 8 Months. Is She Ok?

NASA is considering involving SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft to bring Sunita and Barry Wilmore back by February 2025

Astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore who travelled to the orbit on Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft and was supposed to be in on the mission in outer space for just 8 days are yet to return to Earth. The fact is that they might not be back till next year.

Why Sunita and Barry have not been able to return?
Their stay has been extended due to propulsion system problems on Starliner. These issues have increasingly raised concerns about the spacecraft’s ability to safely return them to Earth as planned. Boeing has been conducting a rigorous testing campaign to address these problems, which, an India Today report said.
The latest test data have revealed that overheating thrusters cause Teflon seals to warp, restricting propellant flow and weakening thrust. This has led to internal disagreements within Nasa about whether to accept the risk of a Starliner return or opt for the safer alternative of using Crew Dragon.
What is NASA doing to bring them back?
NASA and Boeing have been evaluating whether Starliner is safe enough for the astronauts’ return to Earth. While Boeing supports the craft’s safety, NASA has been developing contingency plans involving SpaceX.
NASA is considering launching a SpaceX crew vehicle to the ISS in September with two open seats, which could be used by Barry Wilmore and Sunita Williams, the astronauts Boeing sent to the ISS about two months ago. If this plan goes ahead, they will stay on the ISS until early next year when SpaceX’s vehicle departs, a Times of India report said.

Ken Bowersox, a senior NASA official and former astronaut, stated that there is no requirement for the crew to return on Starliner. Concerns about Starliner’s readiness arose from recent test results, and NASA is expected to decide on the next steps by mid-August, with no final decision yet on whether to use Boeing or SpaceX.

When did Sunita and Barry Leave?
The spacecraft carrying Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore was launched on May 25 but as it encountered a small helium leak, their journey was delayed and finally arrived at the ISS on June 6.
Are Sunita and Barry fine?
One of the immediate changes astronauts experience in space is fluid redistribution. In the absence of gravity, bodily fluids shift towards the upper body, causing facial puffiness, nasal congestion, and a reduction in fluid volume in the legs.
This can lead to decreased blood volume and alter blood pressure regulation. Consequently, upon returning to Earth, astronauts may suffer from orthostatic intolerance, which includes dizziness or fainting when standing up. But this happens to almost all of the astronauts who go into space.
Microgravity has various effects on the musculoskeletal system. Astronauts experience rapid muscle atrophy, particularly in the legs and back, due to the lack of gravity requiring muscle support. This is compounded by significant bone loss, especially in weight-bearing bones like the spine and pelvis. The lack of mechanical stress leads to a decrease in bone density, similar to osteoporosis. Despite rigorous exercise routines on the ISS designed to combat these effects, some degree of bone loss remains inevitable, a Time of India report said.

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