Starliner's Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore absent from SpaceX capsule return

Photo : AFP

On October 25, a SpaceX Dragon capsule, part of the Crew-8 mission, successfully returned to Earth after spending 235 days at the International Space Station (ISS). The capsule splashed down in the waters near Pensacola, Florida, marking a significant milestone as the longest human mission for the Elon Musk-led company. However, the spacecraft did not carry two NASA astronauts, Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, who remained stranded aboard the ISS since their launch aboard Boeing's Starliner in June.

Williams and Wilmore initially launched on June 4, believing they would return to Earth about a week later. However, a series of setbacks plagued their mission, including helium leaks and thruster malfunctions in the Starliner spacecraft. As time went on, it became clear that they would not be returning aboard the Starliner, which was ultimately sent back to Earth unmanned on September 6. NASA emphasized the safety and well-being of its astronauts throughout these challenges, ensuring that Williams and Wilmore would not be put at risk.

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In response to their predicament, NASA arranged a rescue mission utilizing SpaceX’s Crew-9 mission. Scheduled to launch on September 28, the Crew-9 mission had initially planned to take four astronauts to the ISS: NASA’s Nick Hague, Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, and two others, Zena Cardman and Stephanie Wilson. However, to accommodate the stranded astronauts, the number of crew members was reduced, with the Crew-9 capsule now set to bring Williams and Wilmore back to Earth no earlier than February 2025.

The reason Williams and Wilmore could not board the returning Crew-8 mission was straightforward: they were not assigned to it. The Crew-8 capsule had already filled its roster with NASA astronauts Matthew Dominick, Michael Barratt, Jeanette Epps, and Roscosmos’ Alexander Grebenkin. The Crew-8 mission launched atop a Falcon 9 rocket on March 4, well before the Starliner’s first crewed flight.

As of now, Williams and Wilmore have spent over 18 weeks on the ISS, integrating into the Expedition 72 crew, which comprises the station's operational staff. During this extended stay, Williams has become the commander of the space station for a second time, and both astronauts are engaged in their respective duties, including spacewalks and scientific experiments.

Dana Weigel, NASA’s ISS Program manager, confirmed that Williams and Wilmore are well-equipped and trained to manage their responsibilities during their extended stay. She noted that they have access to the right resources and training, ensuring they can perform essential tasks while waiting for their return to Earth.

Recent updates reveal that both astronauts have been proactive in their roles. On October 18, Williams was seen cleaning cooling loops on a spacesuit, while Wilmore tested a new camera system in the Destiny laboratory module, aimed at enhancing mission documentation in the future.

With the successful return of the Crew-8 capsule, attention now shifts to the upcoming Crew-9 mission. Williams and Wilmore will assist in transferring their spacecraft to the docking port vacated by Crew-8, marking a new chapter in their ongoing mission in space. NASA continues to monitor the situation closely, ensuring the astronauts remain safe and well-supported during this unprecedented wait.