A NASA astronaut, who has been unexpectedly stranded in space for an extended period, has shared the top three things she eagerly anticipates upon her return to Earth.
Originally, NASA’s mission for Sunita ‘Suni’ Williams and Barry ‘Butch’ Wilmore was planned as a straightforward eight-day journey in space. However, this mission has unexpectedly extended into several months.
On June 5, 2024, NASA launched the Boeing Starliner Calypso with the crew tasked to reach the International Space Station (ISS).
Unfortunately, as the capsule neared the ISS, its thrusters experienced a malfunction.
Due to safety concerns, NASA deemed it too hazardous for Williams and Wilmore to return to Earth as initially scheduled.
During a recent interview from space with the BBC, Williams expressed her awe: “Up here, you know, it’s just incredible.
“Like where we are right now, you know, you come and look out the window and you just go ‘wow’. I’ve got to pinch myself to be able to have this view, to be able to share this view.”
The Navy veteran also seemed content with the unplanned extension of their trip.
She elaborated: “I think one of the things I was regretting from a short duration mission was it’s hard to share the whole thing with people and on a long duration mission you get that opportunity where you get to talk to people, get to talk to school kids.”
The 59-year-old Ohio native shared her top three priorities for when she returns: reuniting with her family, playing with her dogs, and “jumping in the ocean.”
“I think that will be really nice to just be back on Earth and feel Earth that way,” she added.
Williams’ positive message comes amid growing concerns for the astronauts’ well-being over the past few months.
In a conversation with students at Needham High School in Massachusetts, Williams acknowledged that the extended stay has caused her to forget how to perform basic human activities.
Williams remarked: “I’ve been up here long enough, right now I’ve been trying to remember what it’s like to walk. I haven’t walked. I haven’t sat down. I haven’t laid down.”
NASA addressed these concerns, assuring LADbible Group: “All NASA astronauts aboard the International Space Station undergo routine medical evaluations, have dedicated flight surgeons monitoring them, and are in good health.”
The current plan is for the astronauts to return to Earth approximately nine months after their departure, with NASA’s SpaceX Crew-10 scheduled for a mission to the ISS in late March 2025.
Former President Donald Trump has also commented on the situation, urging SpaceX founder Elon Musk to expedite the process and alleging that the astronauts were “abandoned” by the Joe Biden administration.