Astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore embarked on the inaugural crewed flight test of Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft nearly three months ago. Their mission initially anticipated a brief stay at the International Space Station (ISS), with a return to Earth planned within a week.
However, their stay has been extended to over 11 weeks due to technical issues with the Starliner capsule. As a result, NASA has decided to have SpaceX’s Crew Dragon capsule bring them back, replacing their planned return with a Crew Dragon flight instead.
Despite being initial guests and not official members of Expedition 71, Williams and Wilmore have adapted seamlessly to life aboard the ISS. They have been actively involved in daily tasks, contributing to station maintenance and participating in scientific experiments. With their extended stay now confirmed until early 2025, they are set to join Expedition 72 as full-time crew members.
Technical Delays Extend Astronauts’ Stay on ISS as Starliner Issues Force Crew Dragon ReturnThe Crew-9 mission, which is scheduled to launch on September 24, will include Williams and Wilmore as part of its crew. The mission initially aimed to bring four astronauts to the station, but will now launch with only two, using ballast to balance the Crew Dragon capsule. The Crew-9 astronauts will join Williams and Wilmore, completing the crew for Expedition 72, which will include both international and Russian crew members.
During their time on the ISS, Williams and Wilmore have engaged in a variety of tasks, including hardware inspections, cargo organization, and spacewalk preparations. They’ve also had some recreational moments, such as simulating Olympic events in microgravity, with Williams having a notable history of space achievements, including completing a triathlon in space during a previous mission.
Extended stays in space are not unusual, and astronauts frequently experience delays due to technical issues or schedule adjustments. For instance, astronaut Frank Rubio’s mission extended from six months to over a year due to a spacecraft malfunction. Similarly, Williams and Wilmore’s extended stay reflects the unpredictable nature of space missions.
Their extended stay has not severely impacted the ISS’s supply levels, thanks to a recent Northrop Grumman resupply mission. This mission brought additional food and supplies, ensuring the crew’s needs are met. However, NASA is mindful of resource management and plans to return Williams and Wilmore to Earth to maintain the station’s optimal crew size and resource balance.