Astronauts mark six months aboard ISS

NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Barry "Butch" Wilmore are marking six months in space on December 5th, far exceeding their originally planned mission duration aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The extended stay resulted from technical difficulties with Boeing's Starliner spacecraft, which had to return to Earth unmanned on September 6th, landing in New Mexico.

The mission, initially planned for eight days, has been extended to eight months, with the astronauts now scheduled to return via a SpaceX vehicle in February 2025. The extension became necessary after Starliner experienced multiple complications during its June approach to the ISS, including failures in five of its 28 maneuvering thrusters and helium leaks in the propulsion system.

Despite the unexpected extension of their mission, Williams, 58, and Wilmore, 60, have maintained positive spirits. They recently celebrated Thanksgiving aboard the ISS with their fellow crew members, including two American and three Russian astronauts. The holiday meal featured special space-adapted versions of traditional dishes, including smoked turkey, cranberry, apple cobbler, green beans with mushrooms, and mashed potatoes - all prepared from dehydrated pouches.

Williams shared their experience, noting that they even watched the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. She assured concerned viewers about their well-being, emphasizing that they are staying healthy through regular exercise and proper nutrition.

Meanwhile, Boeing has implemented software updates to Starliner following its issues, successfully testing the spacecraft's unmanned return capabilities. This development marks an important step forward for future crewed missions, even as the current astronauts adapt to their extended stay in orbit.

The astronauts credit their extensive training for helping them adjust to the unexpected circumstances, though they acknowledge missing planned time with their families. Despite the challenges, they maintain a positive outlook on their extended mission aboard the ISS.