Sunita Williams: Hopes for the safe return of NASA astronaut Sunita Williams have increased following the successful launch of SpaceXs Crew-9 mission on Saturday, September 28, at 1:17 PM local time (11:47 PM IST). The Crew Dragon spacecraft lifted off from NASAs Cape Canaveral spaceport in Florida, powered by a Falcon-9 rocket. Unlike previous missions, this launch carried only two astronauts instead of the usual four, leaving seats open for Williams and Butch Wilmore, two NASA astronauts currently stranded aboard the International Space Station (ISS).Rescue mission in place after Boeings starliner failsWilliams and Wilmore originally traveled to the ISS in June aboard Boeings Starliner capsule. While their journey to the station was smooth, their mission was extended indefinitely due to technical issues with the Starliner, including helium leaks and thruster malfunctions. NASA gave Boeing time to address the problems remotely, but eventually deemed the spacecraft too risky for bringing the astronauts back to Earth.Liftoff of Crew-9! pic.twitter.com/laQRTLp4vC— SpaceX (@SpaceX) September 28, 2024This is where SpaceX stepped in. The Elon Musk-led company, which has successfully completed several missions ferrying astronauts to and from the ISS, was called upon to ensure the safe return of the stranded astronauts. However, even with the Crew-9 mission successfully launched, Williams and Wilmore are expected to return to Earth only in the first half of next year.Health concerns due to prolonged space stayThe extended time in space raises concerns for the health of the astronauts. Prolonged exposure to microgravity can lead to health complications, including reduced bone density and other physical issues. Ensuring the safe and timely return of Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore has become a priority for NASA as their extended stay continues to pose risks.
