Sunita Williams and Wilmore’s Return: Crew-10 Mission Details
NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, who took part in Boeing Starliner’s first crewed flight test in June, are set to return to Earth after an extended stay on the International Space Station (ISS). Initially, their mission was supposed to last 10 days, but technical issues with the Starliner capsule caused a delay. They will now return along with the Crew-9 team, and their departure is linked to the upcoming Crew-10 mission by SpaceX, which will take over from Crew-9 on the ISS.
The Crew-10 mission, with four astronauts aboard, is scheduled to launch on March 12 at 7:48 p.m. EST (5:18 a.m. IST) from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, using a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. The launch was postponed from February to March to allow more time for preparation. Once Crew-10 reaches the ISS, they will replace Crew-9, making way for Williams and Wilmore to return to Earth with the Crew-9 astronauts.
Though Crew-10’s arrival will precede Sunita Williams and Wilmore’s return, their exact departure date hasn’t been confirmed by NASA yet. However, Wilmore has tentatively mentioned March 19 as a possible return date, which will be confirmed later by NASA.
Also read: Elon Musk’s Shocking Claim: ‘We Could’ve Brought Them Back 6 Months Ago.
Extended Starliner Mission: Technical Challenges and Safe Uncrewed Return
Sunita Williams and Wilmore’s original mission was aboard Boeing’s Starliner capsule for its first crewed test flight in June. The mission, initially set for 10 days, was delayed due to technical difficulties with the spacecraft, including helium leaks and propulsion system issues. As a result, their mission was extended.
In light of these technical problems, NASA decided that the Starliner would return to Earth unmanned. The spacecraft safely landed in New Mexico in September, while engineers worked to resolve the issues.
NASA’s Update: Williams and Wilmore to Return on SpaceX Dragon Capsule
In August, NASA changed the return plan for Sunita Williams and Wilmore, opting for a SpaceX Dragon capsule instead of Starliner. The Dragon spacecraft, which was brought to the ISS with Crew-9 in September, had been waiting to bring the astronauts back. Crew-9 had flown with two empty seats reserved for their return.
Unlike the Starliner, which could only carry two astronauts, the SpaceX Dragon capsule has the capacity for up to four astronauts. It will stay at the ISS until Crew-10 arrives and settles in. Once Crew-10 is onboard, Williams and Wilmore will prepare for their return journey.
While NASA has yet to announce the final return date, it is expected that they will leave around March 19, depending on the completion of Crew-10’s mission and the necessary arrangements for their safe departure.
Also read: FDA Bans Red Dye No. 3, the Artificial Dye Found in Candy, Cakes, and Other Foods.