One-Week Space Trip Extended To 8 Months; Nightmare For NASA Astronauts Sunita Williams

Indian-origin NASA astronaut Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore completed six months in space on Thursday

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The two NASA astronauts were launched into space aboard Boeing's new Starliner crew capsule on June 5, for a week-long test mission

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However, the mission was extended due to technical issues with the spacecraft’s service module, which encountered a series of engine malfunctions and helium leaks

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NASA deemed the capsule too unsafe for the return journey, leading to a decision to use SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft for the return mission, which is scheduled for late February 2025

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During her extended stay at the International Space Station (ISS), astronaut Sunita Williams is spearheading a historical agricultural experiment

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The 59-year-old astronaut is cultivating "Outrageous" romaine lettuce in microgravity. This experiment holds the potential for major advancements in both space exploration and agricultural practices on Earth

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Sunita Williams, who took on the role of station commander in September, oversees operations, ensuring that both the scientific experiments and the station's overall functioning are up to standard

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Butch Wilmore, alongside Sunita, assists with the maintenance and repair of the ISS, including tackling technical issues like fixing a broken toilet

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They also participate in ongoing scientific experiments and support the growth of plants on the station, contributing to studies on sustainable living in spac

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