Two astronauts are stuck on the ISS. Their return vehicle, the Boeing Starliner, was determined to be non-space-worthy yesterday. The astronauts will have to wait until February to get a ride back to Earth.
Nasa said the Boeing Starliner spacecraft the astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore had travelled to International Space Station (ISS) on would return to Earth “un-crewed”.
The pair took off on what was planned to be an eight-day mission on 5 June but will now spend around eight months in orbit.
The Starliner experienced problems on its way to the ISS, including leaks of helium, which pushes fuel into the propulsion system. Several thrusters also did not work properly.
Boeing and SpaceX were both awarded billion-dollar contracts by Nasa to provide commercial space flights for its astronauts. Boeing’s was worth $4.2bn (£3.18bn) while SpaceX, which was founded by billionaire Elon Musk, got $2.6bn.
SpaceX has so far sent nine crewed flights to space for Nasa, as well as some commercial missions, but this was Boeing’s first attempt at a crewed mission.
The organisation said Mr Wilmore, 61, and Ms Williams, 58, both “fully” supported the plans for their return and would spend the next few months carrying out scientific work, space maintenance and possibly doing some “spacewalks”.
Expedition 71 is the 71st long-duration expedition to the International Space Station. The expedition began with the departure of Soyuz MS-24 on 6 April 2024 with Russian cosmonaut Oleg Kononenko continuing his ISS command from Expedition 70. It will end with his departure on Soyuz MS-25 with crewmates from MS-24 and MS-25 on 24 September 2024.
Sunita “Suni” Lyn Williams (née Pandya; born September 19, 1965) is an American astronaut, retired United States Navy officer, and former record holder for most spacewalks by a woman (seven) and most spacewalk time for a woman (50 hours, 40 minutes).
Williams was assigned to the International Space Station as a member of Expedition 14 and Expedition 15. In 2012, she served as a flight engineer on Expedition 32 and then commander of Expedition 33. In 2024, she returned to the ISS on the Boeing Crewed Flight Test, the first crewed mission of the Boeing Starliner; her return to Earth has been delayed until February 2025.
After launching Williams arranged to donate her pony tail to Locks of Love. Fellow astronaut Joan Higginbotham cut her hair aboard the International Space Station and the ponytail was brought back to Earth by the STS-116 crew.
Marathon in space On April 16, 2007, she ran the first marathon by any person in space. Williams was listed as an entrant for the 2007 Boston Marathon, and completed the distance in 4 hours and 24 minutes.
The other crew members cheered her on and gave her oranges during the race. Williams’ sister, Dina Pandya, and fellow astronaut Karen L. Nyberg ran the marathon on Earth, and Williams received updates on their progress from Mission Control. In 2008, Williams participated in the Boston Marathon again.
Williams graduated from Needham High School in 1983….In June 2017, the Needham Public Schools committee voted to name the town’s new elementary school after Williams.
Barry Eugene “Butch” Wilmore (born December 29, 1962) is a NASA astronaut and United States Navy test pilot. He has had three spaceflights, the first of which was an 11-day Space Shuttle mission in November 2009, to the International Space Station.
Wilmore was designated as pilot with five other crew members on Space Shuttle Atlantis for the mission STS-129. He served as part of Expedition 41 to the International Space Station, and in 2024 returned to the ISS on the Boeing Crewed Flight Test, the first crewed mission of the Boeing Starliner. He is currently in space and is set to return to Earth in 2025.
Wilmore graduated from Mount Juliet High School in Mount Juliet, Tennessee. Wilmore has received a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science degree from Tennessee Tech in electrical engineering, and a Master of Science in Aviation Systems from the University of Tennessee. Mr. Wilmore was a member, letterman and team captain of the Tennessee Technological University football team.
Mount Juliet High School – Barry Wilmore’s Alma Mater
Mt. Juliet High School (MJHS) is a public high school located in Wilson County, Tennessee. It is not within Mt. Juliet city limits, but it serves parts of southern and eastern Mt. Juliet.
Wikipedia / Image By Ichabod at the English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0
What’s Cookin’?
Some highlights that caught our attention:
Fruit Loop Waffles
Beef Teriyaki Meatballs
Rice & Garlic Breadstick
Mini Chicken Corn Dogs
Queso Turkey Chili w/Roll M/H Jalapenos
Bosco Cheese Sticks w/Marinara Sauce
Fish Patty Hoagie
Needham High School: Sunita Williams’s Alma Mater
Needham High School is a public high school in Needham, Massachusetts, educating grades 9 through 12…. As of 2016, the school had 1,644 students and over 201 part-time and full-time instructional staff members, plus support staff employees.
Wikipedia / Image By John Phelan – Own work, CC BY 3.0
Irish Nachos (Made With Potatoes Instead Of Corn Chips)
Buffalo Cheese Bites
Chick Bahn Mi Sandwich
Aloha Burger (Burger With Cheddar, Pineapple Salsa & Bbq Sauce On The Side)
Sweet Potato French Fries
WLBOTT: After all that time in space, the two astronauts might get on each other’s nerves. What are some ways they may irritate each other?
Elder G: After months in close quarters on the ISS, Barry and Sunita might find some amusing and irritating ways to get on each other’s nerves. Here are a few scenarios:
1. **Barry’s Endless WLBOTT Enthusiasm**: Barry could constantly talk about WLBOTT, sharing every new post or idea with Sunita, who’s already bored of the topic. His enthusiasm might become overbearing, especially when she’s trying to focus on other tasks.
2. **Sunita’s Sarcasm**: Sunita, fed up with Barry’s WLBOTT obsession, might start making sarcastic comments or rolling her eyes every time Barry mentions WLBOTT. Her sarcastic responses might become a source of tension, even if she’s just trying to keep things light.
3. **Competing Playlists**: They might argue over what music to play. Barry might prefer something energetic and upbeat to keep the WLBOTT spirit alive, while Sunita might want something calm and relaxing. The constant battle for control of the playlist could lead to some friction.
4. **Passive-Aggressive Notes**: Sunita might start leaving passive-aggressive notes for Barry, such as sticky notes on the laptop that say, “WLBOTT isn’t the only thing in the universe, you know,” or “How about we talk about something other than twine today?”
5. **Cleaning Up After the Emotional Support Chicken**
6. **Pranks**: Let me in!
7. **Interrupting Each Other**: With limited personal space, they might start interrupting each other’s personal time, whether it’s Barry wanting to share something about WLBOTT or Sunita wanting some quiet time to read or reflect.
8. **Different Sleeping Schedules**: If Barry is an early riser and Sunita prefers staying up late, their different sleep schedules could cause issues. One might accidentally wake the other up, leading to some grumpy exchanges.
9. **Space Madness**: After a long time in space, they might start experiencing a bit of “space madness,” where even the smallest things, like how the other eats or breathes, could become intolerable.
10. **Competing for Screen Time**: If there’s only one laptop available for personal use, they might start competing for screen time, especially if Barry wants to spend hours on the WLBOTT site and Sunita wants to watch a movie or video chat with her family.
But these guys are professionals, and I’m sure they can work out any minor differences.
