NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams are having a longer stay in space than they expected.
Initially, Wilmore and Williams were projected to only be in space for eight days, but it now seems they will be there for almost nine months, according to WFLA. In a press release, NASA stated that the two astronauts will be returning to Earth with the crew of Expedition 71/72 in February of 2025.
Luckily, Wilmore and Williams are experienced flyers and astronauts. According to NASA Williams joined NASA in 1998, and Wilmore joined two years later. Williams is also the first woman to serve as a test pilot for a new spacecraft, according to India Today. This is the third mission aboard the International Space Station for both. In an AP News and Rolling Stone article, it is highlighted that both astronauts are the first to fly to space with new Boeing.
Takeoff dates were also delayed several times. According to Newsweek, The Starliner was originally set to takeoff on May 6, but this date was later postponed to May 25 and, later, June 2. The Starliner successfully took off on June 5, 2024, ABC reports. In another ABCis article, it states that Williams and Wilmore were supposed to return to Earth on June 14, a date that would also be delayed, due to high risks with technical issues.
On Saturday September 7, 2024, NASA updated that the Boeing Starliner landed, empty, in New Mexico. Wilmore and Wiliams will stay on the International Space Station until they are able to return, according to ABC News and NASA. In a Fortune article, it was noted that the astronauts are set to return on a SpaceX aircraft, a company founded by Tesla CEO Elon Musk.
Updates are posted on NASA's blog daily.
By Kailey Wurr, A&E Editor
Graphic by Shae-Lynn Henderson
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