Indian-origin astronaut Sunita Williams, currently on the International Space Station (ISS), described it as her “happy place” despite an extended stay due to technical issues with Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft. Williams, along with fellow NASA astronaut Butch Wilmore, initially embarked on what was meant to be an eight-day mission. However, after several complications, their return has now been delayed to February 2025.
The astronauts launched aboard Boeing’s Starliner on June 5, marking the spacecraft’s first crewed mission. While the original plan was for an eight-day orbit, technical issues forced an abrupt change in plans. The Starliner eventually returned to Earth without the astronauts, extending their stay to eight months.
“That’s how things go in this business,” Sunita Williams remarked during a video press conference from the ISS.
‘This is My Happy Place’ – Adjusting to an Unexpected Stay
Both Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore had previous experience on the ISS, making the transition smoother. “This is my happy place. I love being up here in space,” said Williams, expressing her passion for space life.
Despite the change in plans, she acknowledged, “We wanted to take Starliner to the completion and land back on land at home, but you know, you have to turn the page and look at the next opportunity.”
ALSO READ: Sunita Williams and team face trouble from spacebug, here’s all you need to know
Wilmore also showed no disappointment about the extended stay, noting, “We could have gotten to the point, I believe, where we could have returned on Starliner, but we just simply ran out of time.” NASA decided to keep the astronauts on the ISS and eventually bring them back on the Crew-9 flight of SpaceX in February 2025.
A Bittersweet Delay
Sunita Williams admitted feeling slightly anxious about the delay, mainly because of family plans. “In the back of my mind, there are folks on the ground who have some plans like my family…spending time with my mother,” she said. However, the support from her family helped her adapt to the situation.
ALSO READ: Watch: Sunita Williams does a little dance upon reaching International Space Station
Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore will also take part in the upcoming US presidential election, voting from space. Wilmore has already requested his ballot, stating, “It is a very important role that we all play as American citizens.” Williams echoed his sentiment, calling it a “very important duty” and looking forward to the unique experience of voting from the ISS.
Boeing’s Starliner: What Went Wrong?
The delays with the Starliner mission marked a significant setback for Boeing. Despite finally launching on June 5 after years of postponements, the spacecraft experienced several technical difficulties, including helium leaks and reaction control thruster failures. Five of Starliner’s 28 thrusters malfunctioned during the flight, although the spacecraft managed to dock with the ISS.
NASA and Boeing eventually decided that returning the astronauts to Earth in the Starliner was too risky, opting instead to send the spacecraft back uncrewed. Williams and Wilmore will return to Earth aboard a SpaceX mission in 2025.
