Why NASA’s Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore Remains in Orbit Longer Than Expected ? : Explained

Why NASA's Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore Remains in Orbit Longer Than Expected ? : Explained

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to face unforeseen difficulties in space as an astronaut? This is precisely what veteran NASA astronaut Sunita Williams along with her crewmate Butch Wilmore is going through right now since their stay on the International Space Station (ISS) has been prolonged past the original schedule. The mission was originally scheduled for eight day. However, their stay has been extended for 8 months due to some problems with the Boeing Starliner spacecraft. The extended stay raises concern about their health. They are expected to return on February 2025. The intricacies of space flight, crew rotations and the research endeavors that keep astronauts like Williams in orbit are all brought up by this fascinating turn of events. We will look at the reasons for their prolonged stay, how it affected the mission, and effort being made for their safe return to the green planet.

Why NASA’s Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore Remains in Orbit Longer Than Expected ? : Explained


Why Sunita Williams & Butch Wilmore Stuck in Space?

NASA Astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore launched abroad on 05 June 2024 from Cape Canaveral, Florida. This was the first crewed flight of Boeing’s Starliner. The spacecraft arrived at the space station on 06 June 2024. Due to technical snags including repeated helium leaks and reaction control thruster issues, NASA returned the Starliner uncrewed. Helium leaks which affect the propulsion system emerged during the flight and the thruster issue during the docking of the spacecraft at the International Space Station (ISS). The Boeing Starliner which the astronauts launched into space had many issues earlier like concern over parachute systems, problems in launch abort system, and on 20 December 2019, the Starliner was unable to enter the correct orbit during its flight test. However, on 25 May 2022, the Starliner returned safely from ISS on its second orbital flight test. Apart from technical delays, Sunita & Wilmore’s return has been postponed by the policies that governs the International Space Station:

  • Crew Rotation Logistics: To overcome understaffing of crew on the ISS and continuity of ongoing research without any disruption.
  • Mission Objectives: Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore are involved in critical scientific research that need their expertise and presence, ensuring continuity of the ongoing exploration.
  • Health and Safety Considerations: After staying for extended period of time, both the astronauts need time to prepare their body for re-entry to earth’s atmosphere. Their body should be able to adopt the transition from microgravity to earth’s gravity.
  • Maintenance of ISS: NASA has decided to utilize the astronaut’s extended period at space for additional research and vital maintenance of International Space Station (ISS).
Why NASA’s Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore Remains in Orbit Longer Than Expected ? : Explained


How Prolonged Stay in Space may Affect Health?

During extended stays on ISS, orbiting 400 km above earth, Sunita Williams &  Butch Wilmore may encounter a number of difficulties, such as:

  • Muscle Atrophy: Because muscles don’t have to work as hard in microgravity, they weaken and lose mass.
  • Bone Density Loss: Due to the absence of gravitational pull, bone density may decline, raising the possibility of fractures. NASA’s report says that astronauts can lose approx. 1 percent of bone mass each month in space. However, Sunita & her crewmate can combat the effects by using Advance Resistive Exercise Device (ARED) to help maintain muscle and bone health.
  • Fluid Redistribution: This occurs when body fluids move upward in microgravity, leading to changes in RBCs in the body causing facial puffiness and elevated intracranial pressure, which may impair vision and would be a concern for long term health.
  • Hemolysis: Prolonged stay in space increases Red Blood Cell (RBC) destruction. As per a report of NASA, our body creates and destroys 2  million RBCs every second. However, in the case of astronauts on board ISS, their bodies generate and destroy 3 million RBC each second. This is known as Hemolysis. Due to this condition, Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore may suffer from anemia, posing serious threats for both astronauts during their extended stay in space.
  • Radiation Exposure: Astronauts are subjected to elevated cosmic radiation levels, which raise the possibility of cancer, DNA strand breaks and mutations leading to genetic disorders and other radiation related health issues. As per NASA, the radiation on the ISS can range from 50 to 20,000 milli-sieverts, which is as much as 150 to 6,000 chest X-rays.
  • Psychological Effects: Living far away from Earth, confined or isolated might cause tension, worry and sadness. As per a report of The Indian Express, Neurologist Dr Sudhir Kumar said about how the unplanned stay of Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore can lead to issue like Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Communication with loved once through audio calls, video calls and electronic mails is crucial for Sunita & Butch for their emotional well being. 
  • Fatigue or Sleep Disruption: Lack of a normal day-night cycle might cause sleep disturbances that interfere with sleep cycles.
  • Changes in the Cardiovascular System: Another major concern is the change in functioning of heart. Fluids moving upward due to gravitational pull causes changes in blood volumes and pressure leading to cardiovascular deconditioning. The heart may become more spherical in shape becoming less efficient in it’s primary function which is pumping the blood and astronauts who return to Earth may have trouble standing up (orthodontia).
  • Immunological Changes: Astronauts are more vulnerable to infections because of the potential for immune system weakness in space.
  • Modified Perception: A few astronauts have mentioned experiencing modifications in their sense of balance and coordination.
  • Gastrointestinal Problems: The microgravity environment might lead to alterations in the digestive and gastrointestinal system.

Because of these difficulties, ensuring the health and well-being of astronauts on extended trips requires meticulous planning, regular exercise programs, and psychological assistance.

Why NASA’s Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore Remains in Orbit Longer Than Expected ? : Explained


What is NASA doing for Sunita Williams & Butch Wilmore’s Safe Return?

The repeated leakage of Helium and issues in control thruster of Boeing’s Starliner leads to these NASA scientist to a prolonged stay at International Space Station (ISS). As per NASA, Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore will return to earth on February 2025 after spending eight months in addition to originally planned eight days. The astronauts will depart from the ISS aboard a Space X spacecraft instead of the Boeing Starliner. NASA earlier decided to use Space X Crew Dragon spacecraft to bring back the two stranded astronauts, both retired Navy captains back to the green planet.

In this regard, Space X launched a Space X Crew 9 mission on 29 September from Cape Canaveral. The Space X Dragon spacecraft carrying two astronauts, NASA’s Nick Hague and Cosmonaut Alexander Gorbunov to bring back the stranded astronauts from ISS has been docked at the International Space Station (ISS). 

Why NASA’s Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore Remains in Orbit Longer Than Expected ? : Explained


Conclusion

Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore’s prolonged stay on the International Space Station (ISS), emphasizes the difficulties involved in space exploration. Their extended orbit is caused by a number of circumstances, including technical errors, safety concerns and mission-related issues. Williams & Wilmore’s expedition not only broadens our knowledge of life in space but also demonstrates the resiliency and flexibility needed for human spaceflight. Every mission the astronauts undertake helps us learn priceless lessons that open new avenues for space exploration in the future as we continue to explore the last frontier.

Why NASA's Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore Remains in Orbit Longer Than Expected ? : Explained


Call to Action

What has come to your thought after seeing the difficulties that Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore face 400 km above you? Comment on their prolonged stay onboard the International Space Station (ISS) by joining the discussion! If you want to read the most recent news, analysis, and behind-the-scenes tales from NASA, keep visiting our blog. What are your concerns regarding life in space and the direction of human exploration? Share them with us in the comments section. Thank you for visiting Techgiraffe. Bye-bye till the next blog.

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