Astronaut Sunita Williams Returns to Earth After 9 Months in Space
NEWS CHARIOT:-After a record-breaking 9 months in space, astronaut Sunita Williams is finally set to return to Earth. Williams, who had originally planned for an 8-day mission, was unexpectedly stranded on the International Space Station (ISS) due to technical issues with her spacecraft. However, after extensive efforts by NASA and private space company SpaceX, Sunita will make her return with fellow astronaut Butch Wilmore.
Sunita Williams, 59, embarked on her journey to the ISS as part of a mission in collaboration with NASA and Boeing. The duo was sent aboard the Boeing Starliner spacecraft from Cape Canaveral on June 5, 2024, and reached the ISS the following day, where they were expected to stay for just 8 days. However, unforeseen technical difficulties delayed their return, leaving Williams and Wilmore stranded for months.
While the Starliner successfully transported Williams and Wilmore to the ISS, technical issues arose with the spacecraft’s thrusters, preventing their return. A helium leak in the rocket engine posed the risk of a catastrophic failure mid-flight, which forced the mission to change course. As a precaution, Sunita Williams was left on the ISS while a capsule without crew was sent back to Earth.
Throughout her extended stay in space, Williams witnessed 16 sunrises and 16 sunsets each day. This phenomenon occurred because the ISS orbits Earth every 90 minutes, completing roughly 16 full rotations within a 24-hour period, offering astronauts aboard the station a view of both sunrise and sunset multiple times in a single day.
During her time aboard the ISS, Williams received food supplies every three months. According to NASA, astronauts require 1.7 kilograms of food per day, including a variety of items such as grains, powdered milk, pizza, shrimp cocktails, fried chicken, and tuna. These supplies are prepared on Earth and sent to the ISS, where astronauts heat them up in magnetic trays. Water on the ISS is recycled from astronauts’ sweat and urine, purified to ensure safe consumption.
On Tuesday evening, March 18, the SpaceX capsule, carrying Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, is expected to land off the coast of Florida at 5:57 PM. After more than 9 months in space, they will finally return to Earth, marking the end of a mission filled with unexpected challenges and remarkable achievements.
Sunita Williams’ prolonged stay on the ISS is a testament to the unpredictability of space travel. Despite facing unforeseen setbacks, her mission has brought forth valuable insights into the resilience and perseverance required in space exploration. Now, with the joint efforts of NASA and SpaceX, Williams is finally on her way home.
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