Two astronauts trapped aboard the International Space Station since June have recently expressed a longing for home.
According to Daily Mail, Astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, stuck on the ISS due to spacecraft issues, seek return to Earth in April 2025 aboard a SpaceX craft with Crew-9 members.
Butch Wilmore, 62, and Suni Williams, 59, launched on June 5 for what was planned as an eight-day mission. Unfortunately, safety issues with their Boeing Starliner required the spacecraft to return to Earth empty, leaving the astronauts without a return vehicle.
In August 2024, NASA arranged their return via a SpaceX craft scheduled for April next year. Their unexpected overstay has led them to participate in Expedition 72 alongside other residents of the ISS, including astronauts Nick Hague and Don Pettit.
During a video communication with NASA Administrator Bill Nelson and Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy, Williams and Wilmore discussed their ongoing situation. They confirmed that initial shortages of clothing had occurred but that NASA had addressed the issue by sending up supplies.
Suni Williams, commanding officer of Expedition 72, emphasized their commitment to their duties despite longing to return home. "Yeah, eventually we want to go home, because we left our families a little while ago, but we have a lot to do while we’re up here," she elaborated.
Wilmore shared insights into adapting to life in space, notably about clothing. "We swapped out a couple of components that we needed on the space station for some of our clothes," he explained. "So we wore [the same] clothes for a while, but that doesn’t bother us, because you know, clothes fit loosely up here."
Their conversation aimed to quell rumors and confirm that despite their challenges, their spirits remained high. Deputy Administrator Melroy joked about the situation, comparing it to the movie 'Cast Away', but Wilmore reassured, "It’s not like on Earth where you sweat and it gets bad. I mean, they fit loosely, so you can wear things, honestly, for weeks at a time, and it doesn’t bother you at all."
Apart from addressing personal challenges, the astronauts actively engage in various scientific experiments aimed at benefiting projects both in space and on Earth.
Crew-9 brought new supplies aboard in September. These supplies not only resolved the clothing issues but also ensured the continuation of experiments and other critical activities on the ISS.
The ongoing experiments form a crucial part of their extended mission, highlighting the importance of their prolonged stay despite the personal and logistical challenges they face.
Looking ahead, Williams and Wilmore are preparing for the arrival of Crew-10 in late March 2025, which will facilitate their return journey home in April. While they await their departure, their work aboard the ISS continues to contribute valuable data and insights into living and working in microgravity.
While families and colleagues eagerly wait for their return, the crew remains focused on their mission, maintaining their vessel, and ensuring the success of ongoing and future expeditions.
Ultimately, their unexpected extension aboard the ISS serves as a reminder of the complexities and uncertainties inherent in space travel. Wilmore and Williams, with their resilience and dedication, continue to work diligently, counting down the days until they can reunite with their loved ones on Earth.
