Astronauts Frequently Get Stuck in Space

What began as a weeklong mission for U.S. astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore has stretched into a months-long stay on the International Space Station (ISS). Their eight-day mission, which started on June 5, has already lasted over two months and may continue even longer.

Delayed Return Due to Spacecraft Issues

Williams and Wilmore launched to the ISS on June 5 as part of a test flight for Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft. Originally, they were set to return just eight days later. “However, hydrogen leaks and thruster issues led NASA and Boeing to postpone their return.”

If they don’t return on Starliner, they may join a SpaceX Dragon mission launching in September, which is scheduled to stay in space until February 2025. This would extend their stay to eight months.

Not an Uncommon Situation

Despite the attention, extended stays in space are not new. Emily A. Margolis from the National Air and Space Museum notes that uncertain return vehicles have stranded astronauts before, and it’s likely to happen again as space missions increase.

The key challenge is keeping astronauts safe and ensuring a reliable way home. An uncrewed mission delivered supplies to the ISS on August 4, so Williams and Wilmore have essentials, though they’ll face some discomfort without laundry facilities.

Williams and Wilmore are adjusting well. NASA’s chief flight director, Emily Nelson, said the team welcomed the extra time in space. Williams remains positive, saying, “It feels good to float around, it feels good to be in space and work up here…. I’m not complaining.”

Engine Failure

In 1979, a Soyuz spacecraft suffered an engine failure shortly after launch, stranding two cosmonauts on the Salyut space station. The mission was intended to bring a fresh crew and return the cosmonauts home, but the malfunction left them on the station for an unexpected 175 days.

Despite the prolonged stay, both cosmonauts eventually returned safely to Earth. Their extended time in space set a record for the longest space mission at that time, highlighting both the challenges and resilience of human spaceflight.

Spaceflight Disaster

In 2003, the space shuttle Columbia tragically disintegrated during reentry, resulting in the loss of all seven crew members. This disaster had immediate repercussions for the International Space Station (ISS) crew, who suddenly found themselves without a planned return vehicle and had to extend their mission.

The three astronauts aboard the ISS at the time—Don Pettit, Ken Bowersox, and Nikolai Budarin—ended up staying in space two months longer than expected. Despite the tragic circumstances, they made the most of their extended mission, embracing the additional time for scientific work and exploration.

One of the astronauts, Don Pettit, demonstrated remarkable resilience and a deep love for space travel. Instead of being deterred, Pettit continued his space career and remains one of NASA’s most experienced astronauts, even expressing enthusiasm for future missions.

Micrometeorite Impact

In December 2022, a micrometeorite struck a Soyuz spacecraft docked at the International Space Station, causing a coolant leak and extending the stay of three astronauts by six months. The damaged Soyuz returned to Earth empty, while a replacement spacecraft arrived in February 2023.

Despite spending 370 days in space due to the incident, NASA astronaut Frank Rubio remained enthusiastic about space travel. After returning to Earth, he expressed a strong desire to go back, highlighting his passion for exploration despite the unexpected challenges.

Read the Original Article on: Science News

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