Still Stuck In Space, Here's What Astronaut Sunita Williams Said About Homecoming

NASA astronaut Sunita Lyn Williams, who is on her third space mission since June 6, has been stranded in space for much longer than anticipated. However, on July 10, the Boeing Starliner crew expressed confidence in returning to Earth soon. In a live video conference from the International Space Station, the Indo-American astronaut told NASA, "I have a real good feeling in my heart that this spacecraft will bring us home, no problem." Her copilot Butch Wilmore emphasised their dedication to thoroughly testing the spacecraft. He said, "Failure is not an option," and highlighted their commitment to ensuring the Starliner’s success.

Why Is Sunita Williams Stranded In Space?

The astronauts are stranded at the International Space Station due to a reported helium leak on the spacecraft. While the Indo-American scientist and her crew were expected to return to Earth on June 13, the glitch has caused a delay and no new date has been set for her landing. Meanwhile, in a shocking turn of events, a whistleblower has alleged that NASA and Boeing were aware of the leak, yet deemed the rocket safe for liftoff. 

The mission, which had to last only for a few days, may now extend to months with no exact date announced due to the glitch. As per a report by CNN, the Starliner spacecraft which not only has helium leakage issues but also 'thruster outrage' issues will have to stay up longer than expected as NASA continues to work towards solving one issue at a time to ensure the safe return of its astronauts. 

A CBS News report has stated that whistleblowers have accused NASA and Boeing of neglecting a leak that they already knew existed. They allegedly considered it to be too small to jeopardize the mission. This decision has now left Williams, her co-pilot Butch Wilmore, and the other crew members stranded at the International Space Station (ISS).

The launch had been postponed multiple times due to technical glitches and a different leak. Once in orbit, four additional helium leaks developed, reportedly rendering one thruster unusable. Five of the 28 thrusters are having issues and there have been five Helium leaks on the spacecraft. Reportedly, a minimum of 14 thrusters are required for a safe return.

In another incident that created a tense situation at NASA, a Russian satellite broke up near the International Space Station due to which astronaut Williams had to take shelter in Starliner to avoid potential threats from the space debris, as per reports. 

Sunita Williams Arrives At Space Station

For this mission, Williams and Wilmore underwent training as one of the first-ever pilots of the Crew Flight Test mission aboard the Boeing Starliner. The Starliner cruise was earlier scheduled for early May 6, but technical errors caused a delay to the first week of June. Finally, on June 6, the duo safely docked at the International Space Station for the highly awaited mission.

Hugs all around! The Expedition 71 crew greets Butch Wilmore and @Astro_Suni aboard @Space_Station after #Starliner docked at 1:34 p.m. ET on June 6. pic.twitter.com/wQZAYy2LGH

— Boeing Space (@BoeingSpace) June 6, 2024

Speaking about the delay, Steve Stich, manager of the NASA Commercial Crew Program, said, "It has been important that we take our time to understand all the complexities of each issue including the redundant capabilities of the Starliner propulsion system and any implications to our Interim Human Rating Certification.

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Williams' Third Time In Space

Sunita Lyn Williams has spent 321 days, 17 hours, and 15 minutes of her life in space and she has now set off on her third space mission. The 58-year-old astronaut's first spaceflight experience was as a Flight Engineer with Expedition 14/15 from December 9, 2006, to June 22, 2007.

It was during that flight that Williams set new records for women in space with four spacewalks totalling 29 hours and 17 minutes. She concluded her tour and returned to Earth with the STS-117 crew. 

Following that, her next space lift was with Expedition 32/33 which launched from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan in July 2012. She once again set a record for total cumulative spacewalk time with a time of 50 hours and 40 minutes.

She, Russian Soyuz commander Yuri Malenchenko, and Flight Engineer Akihiko Hoshide of Japan spent four months conducting research and exploration aboard the orbiting laboratory before landing in November 2012.

Sunita Lyn Williams' Stellar Career

Williams belongs to Needham, Massachusetts. Her father, Deepak Pandya, was a renowned neuroanatomist from India. Her mother Ursuline Bonnie (Zalokar) Pandya is a Slovenian. 

Sunita, commonly known as Suni, received a Bachelor of Science degree from the United States Naval Academy, and then a Master of Science degree in engineering management from the Florida Institute of Technology in 1995.

She was an ensign in the United States Navy in May 1987 as a Basic Diving Officer. In 1989, she reported to the Naval Air Training Command, where she was designated a Naval Aviator.

In 1993, Williams began training at the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School. After her graduation, she was assigned to the Rotary Wing Aircraft Test Directorate as an H-46 Project Officer and V-22 chase pilot in the T-2.

In 1995, she went back to the Naval Test Pilot School as an instructor in the Rotary Wing Department and as the school's Safety Officer, where she flew the UH-60, OH-6, and OH-58 choppers.

She was then assigned as an Aircraft Handler and the Assistant Air Boss on the USS Saipan in 1998. Williams was selected by NASA for the astronaut program, where she began her training at Johnson Space Center in August 1998.

Williams has recorded more than 3,000 flight hours in more than 30 aircraft types. She has received several laurels for her contributions to the US Navy and American space research.

Some of her awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal (which she won twice), the Legion of Merit, the Navy Commendation Medal twice, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and the Humanitarian Service Medal.