Context
- NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore have finally returned to Earth after a prolonged nine-month stay aboard the International Space Station (ISS).
- The team descended aboard Elon Musk’s SpaceX Dragon capsule.
About
- Williams and Wilmore got stuck after technical issues with the spacecraft meant to bring them home.
- They had travelled to the ISS on board Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner as part of its first crewed test flight.
- The mission, under NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, aimed to develop private spacecraft for transporting astronauts to and from the station.
- By outsourcing low-Earth orbit missions, NASA aims to focus on deep space exploration.
| About Sunita Williams and Wilmore – Sunita Williams is the current commander of the ISS and a retired United States Navy officer, joined NASA in 1998. – Over her career, she has spent 322 days in space and completed nine spacewalks. 1. She previously held the record for the most spacewalks by a female astronaut, until 2017 when the title went to Peggy Whitson, who completed 10. – Wilmore first flew to space in 2009 on board the Space Shuttle Atlantis. Before the Boeing Starliner mission, he had logged 178 days in space. 1. He has served as a flight engineer and commander on previous ISS missions, conducting research in space. |
How do Astronauts Survive Unexpected Stay?
- Life on board the ISS follows a structured routine of exercise, work and leisure.
- This includes regular exercises on both the treadmill and resistance machine to maintain bone and muscle strength.
- Throughout the year, several space agencies and private companies also scheduled missions to resupply the space station with food, water and oxygen.
Complications with Human Space Travel
- Microgravity Effects: Muscle atrophy and bone density loss.
- Fluid redistribution causing facial puffiness and vision issues.
- Radiation Exposure: Increased risk of cancer and cardiovascular diseases.
- Psychological Challenges: Isolation, stress, and interpersonal conflicts in confined spaces.
- Life Support Systems: Dependence on reliable air, water, and waste recycling systems.
- Technical Challenges: Spacecraft design and long-term system reliability.
- Navigation and communication delays.
- Food and Nutrition: Managing long-lasting, nutritious food for extended missions.
- Power and Propulsion: Reliable power sources and efficient propulsion for long trips.
- Space Debris: Risk of collision with space debris damaging the spacecraft.
- Re-entry and Landing: Safely returning to Earth after a mission.
Conclusion
- Continued innovation and collaboration will be key to overcoming these challenges and making human space travel more feasible and sustainable in future.
Source: LM
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