The Nasa Astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore have spent close to nine months aboard the International Space Station ISS-far further than planned. The reason is technical problems with their spacecraft Boeing Starliner.
– They went up in June 2024 and then, among other things, helium leakage was discovered, says Kristine Dannenberg at the Space Agency.
The astronauts would really only have stayed for eight days. But when Boeing Starliner turned out to have leaks and other deficiencies, Nasa decided to postpone the journey home and instead wait for the SpaceX craft Dragon. According to the current schedule, Williams and Wilmore will return on March 19, along with parts of the new crew Crew 9.
– Starliner was brand new with astronauts on board for the first time. When the tests showed technical problems, NASA took no risks, says Kristine Dannenberg, responsible for research issues at the Space Agency, in TV4’s after five.
Life on board the ISS
During their unexpectedly long stay, the two astronauts participated in various research experiments, including attempts to grow salad in weightlessness. They have also taken care of repairs at ISS. According to Dannenberg, the space station always keeps plenty of supplies on board, and new deliveries arrive regularly.
– For them, it has not been a problem to stay extra for several months. The most challenging thing can be that they do not know exactly when they come back and that everyday life on earth may continue without them, she explains.
So the body is affected after nine months in space
Once back, the astronauts are expected to meet the usual transition after longer stays in space. Although they exercise several hours a day to maintain muscle strength, they may feel wobbly and nausea in the beginning. However, for NASA veteran Sunita Williams, who has a record in space walks among female astronauts, a long-awaited reunion with family and friends await.
– They have great experience, but this is still their longest journey. When you land on earth again, it can take a couple of weeks to get used to gravity, says Kristine Dannenberg.