With more months in orbit than planned, NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore make an emotional plea to get home to their families. Scheduled to be here just for a brief stint, both astronauts have found themselves far longer aboard the International Space Station. In the middle of their much-prolonged stay aboard, the two astronauts say that things remain okay in every aspect- whether it is their food or their clothing.
NASA had previously scheduled their return for February 2025, however, their mission has now been delayed till late March. Williams and Wilmore were humorous yet optimistic in the recent communication made to NASA officials but also told them how impatient they were in reuniting with their family.
“It’s been a joy working up here,” said Williams. “We don’t feel cast away, but eventually we do want to go home because we left our families some time ago. And in the meanwhile, there’s plenty of work to keep us occupied.”
So far, their extended mission, which began during the space shuttle launch, has heavily involved the astronauts into various scientific experiments, along with routine operations, and space walks.
Adding some levity, Wilmore shared the peculiarities of life on the ISS, such as wearing clothes for long periods and getting accustomed to the station’s environment. He responded to public health concerns, which arose after pictures surfaced showing Williams looking tired, by assuring that they are well-fed and healthy.
Our clothes fit loosely up here. Unlike Earth, we do not sweat the same way, so wearing clothes for weeks is not an issue,” he said.
Initially scheduled for a short stay, their stay on Boeing’s Starliner has been extended due to a technical malfunction in the propulsion system of the spacecraft. The delay has pushed their return from June to March 2025. NASA is planning to send Crew-10 to bring them back to Earth.
