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NASA’s Astronauts stranded in Space for 9 months Returned to Earth 

Last updated on March 20th, 2025 Posted on March 20, 2025 by NEXT IAS Current Affairs Team  84

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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