Due to unforeseen spacecraft complications, NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore’s Earth-bound journey has been delayed, extending their space mission until February 2025, six months beyond their initial August 2024 return date.
The pair launched on June 5, 2024, on what was originally planned to be an eight-day mission.
However, due to problems with their Boeing Starliner spacecraft, including helium leaks and malfunctioning thrusters, their return was delayed, BBC reports.
NASA decided that the Starliner, which was initially meant to bring Williams and Wilmore back, would return to Earth “un-crewed” because of safety concerns.
As a result, their return was rescheduled for early 2025 with SpaceX.
Addressing a press conference last Friday, the astronauts discussed their extended stay.
“This is my happy place. I love being up here in space,” Williams said.
Wilmore added, “It was trying at times. There were some tough times all the way through.
“That’s how things go in this business.”
Military.com reports that this was their first public comment since the return of the Boeing Starliner capsule that transported them to the International Space Station in June.
According to the BBC, they are sharing the International Space Station with nine other people. Each day is carefully scheduled by mission control on Earth, with astronauts starting their day around 06:30 GMT.
The compartments are equipped with laptops for the crew to keep in touch with family and include a small area for personal items such as photos and books.
The astronauts might then use the bathroom, a compact compartment with a suction system. Typically, sweat and urine are recycled into drinking water, but due to a fault on the ISS, the crew is currently required to store urine instead.
The astronauts then begin their work, which primarily involves maintenance tasks or conducting scientific experiments.
