Two NASA astronauts, who have been residing on the International Space Station since June 2024, stated they “do not perceive themselves as stranded.”
Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams initially intended to spend just eight days in space but found themselves unable to return to Earth due to numerous issues with their Boeing Starliner spacecraft. By September, the spacecraft had successfully returned to Earth, leaving them behind.
During a live video discussion with NASA leadership on Wednesday evening, the duo appeared to be in high spirits, joined by two other astronauts.
In response to a query referencing Tom Hanks’ film Cast Away, in which the protagonist finds himself isolated on a remote island, Ms. Williams expressed that she and Mr. Wilmore felt far from forsaken.
“Eventually, we indeed wish to return home,” she remarked. “We departed from our families some time ago.”
“However, there are numerous tasks to accomplish up here, and we must complete them before we leave.”
The astronauts also remarked that they have yet to view the wildfires raging in California from the station’s windows, due to their orbital trajectory. However, when they do pass over the U.S. state, they plan to take photographs from the space station to assist those on the ground, they noted.
Starliner spacecraft docked at the International Space Station. Pic: NASA
Mr. Wilmore and Ms. Williams, both retired Navy captains, have seen their homeward journey consistently postponed.
Last month, their planned return in February was delayed once again due to issues with the SpaceX rocket designated for their retrieval.
The astronauts are currently awaiting the arrival of NASA’s next crew at the ISS to take their places on the return rocket, alongside NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov.
Read more on stranded astronauts:
How they became stranded in space and potential paths home
In August, Boeing affirmed that the astronauts are “not stranded,” and Ms. Williams referred to the space station as her “happy place.”
Nearly six months later, the duo has spent the U.S. election, Thanksgiving, and Christmas while aboard the ISS.
They managed to cast their votes in the U.S. election, although Mr. Wilmore is missing significant moments of his daughter’s final year in high school. Nonetheless, the astronauts appeared content during Wednesday’s communication back to Earth.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Stranded astronauts hear ‘strange noises’
They are not in jeopardy; astronauts have occupied space for extended periods, with the record held by Russian Valeri Polyakov.
He spent 437 days in space during the mid-1990s.
In 2023, NASA astronaut Frank Rubio made his return following a 371-day mission, establishing the record for the longest duration in space for an American.
The astronauts aboard the ISS also recently received two cargo shipments, which included clothing, food, water, and oxygen, as per NASA’s reports.
“The resupply ship also delivered special items for the crew to celebrate the holidays while in orbit,” noted the space agency in December.
Read more from Sky News:
Driverless taxi passenger gets stuck driving in circles
Soldier who exploded Cybertruck ‘used AI to plan attack’
Grooming gangs scandal: What transpired
Mr. Wilmore and Ms. Williams have integrated into the regular ISS crew, undertaking responsibilities such as plumbing and space station repairs.
Next week, Ms. Williams is scheduled to participate in a spacewalk with another crew member to install a piece of equipment on the external portion of the space station that aids in orientation.
They will also repair a telescope, a reflector, and other components.
This will mark Ms. Williams’ eighth spacewalk in her extensive NASA career.
