THE ALLURE OF SPACE
Growing up, I idolized astronauts like Sunita Williams, Kalpana Chawla , Neil Armstrong etc. Their achievements sparkled an unwavering fascination within me. As a child, I would gaze up at the night sky wondering what lay beyond. Those childhood conversations with my Father about the moon, stars & galaxies, filled with his mythological tales of the celestial world shared under the open sky, are memories I’ll treasure forever.❤️ As I grew older, my fascination with space only deepened.
But little did I know that Sunita Williams’s most intriguing mission was yet to come.
SUNITA WILLIAMS’ LATEST MISSION
Fast forward to her latest endeavor, which began with a promise but took a startling turn. Eight days into the mission my initial excitement and anticipation gave way to confusion. Frustrated with sensationalised headlines and conflicting accounts, I decided to take matters into my own hands.
BOEING SPACECRAFT LAUNCH
On June 5, 2024 a Starliner spacecraft was launched in America which was carrying two experienced astronauts from NASA named, Pilot ‘Sunita Williams’ and Commander ‘Barry E Wilmore’. This spacecraft was built by a private company “Boeing”.
So the next day, precisely 27 hours later at 1:34 p.m. on June 6, this spacecraft began Docking at the International Space Station(ISS). After successful docking, both the astronauts made their way into the Space station.
A CONCERNING BACK STORY
Notably, ‘Boeing’ the private company behind Starliner is also a leading Airplane manufacturer and guess what many of those Airplanes have recently crashed. Scary right?!
See, this Starliner aircraft is still in a developing stage and this particular mission, dubbed “Boeing crew flight test” aimed to test its capabilities in a crucial final step..
BOEING’S MILESTONE & SETBACK
Boeing became the world’s second private company to design, build and launch a human orbital spacecraft, a feat previously achieved only by SpaceX. Only three countries – Russia, China and the US – have accomplished this milestone.
Initially planned for an 8-day duration, the Starliner mission encountered an unexpected extension.
NASA reports that the astronauts will now remain in space for 8 months.
WHAT WENT WRONG?
Now the question arises! How did this failure happen & How much can we blame Boeing?
Before delving into the blame game,
I think Delays are actually not so bad, I mean Our Astronauts get more stargazing time… Well, Yes they are stuck in space but they are not in any kind of danger.
The International Space station with its impressive length of more than 350 feet end to end enables it to support a large and diverse crew. Although it’s not a luxury hotel, it is a good place to stay comfortably and survive.
SUSTAINABLE LIFE SUPPORT SYSTEMS
The ISS has its own oxygen generating system which generates oxygen through the electrolysis of water and recycles oxygen as well. When we exhale we release a high quantity of carbon dioxide as well as oxygen to a certain extent. So, being able to extract that oxygen, then recovering it and using it again.. yep! It can do that !
In terms of food, the ISS maintains a six-month food reserve, ensuring a steady supply for its inhabitants. Additionally, crew members rotate every 5 to 6 months, preventing long-term food storage concerns.Currently, Expedition 71 is onboard the ISS comprising six- seven members from International Space agencies. This diverse team includes
- 4 NASA astronauts
- 3 Astronauts from Russian space agency aka Roscosmos
HEART WARMING MOMENT
“A video came across the Internet where Sunita Williams was joyfully entering the ISS, joining fellow astronauts as part of Expedition 71 which was truly wholesome”.
(Expedition 71) btw indicates the 71st rotation of crew members to the International Space station (ISS), a continuous mission spanning over 24 years now.
ROTATION AND RE SUPPLY
In September of 2024, other members of Expedition 71 returned to Earth, replaced by Expedition 72 crew members. This rotation brought fresh supplies, including food, for Williams and Wilmore. NASA considers Barry and Sunita as a part of both Expedition 71 and 72.
So,it’s not like they are stuck in space and getting bored with nothing else to do.
They are researching topics like Space botany, How flowers could be grown in space, Fluid shifts & now I’m going blank…Ok etc makes its way
Anyways
MORE ABOUT ASTRONAUTS
Barry(61yo) & Sunita(59yo) are highly experienced Astronauts. Barry has accumulated 178 days in space, while Sunita boasts 322 days across expeditions 14 ,15 ,32 and 33.
LOGISTICAL SUPPORT
NASA ensured that their basic needs were met despite the extended stay. Since clothing was only packed for 8 days, a Clothing Shipment was sent on August 6, 2024.
- But now what’s the problematic part?
This Boeing Starliner spacecraft aka (CST-100 Spaceliner) is an orbital spacecraft which has achieved a remarkable feat by successfully launching to the ISS replicating SPACE X’s achievement.
ORBITAL SPACECRAFT CAPABILITIES
Orbital spacecraft like Starliner are launched at such high velocities that they can reach upto Earth’s orbit and then orbit around Earth, which requires velocity of more than 28,000 km/hr (17,400 mpH).
Differ from Suborbital spacecraft which reach the edge of space at 7000 km/hr(4,350 mpH).
Clearly, Developing an orbital spacecraft poses significant challenges, surpassing those of suborbital craft.
THE BIG THREE : HUMAN ORBITAL SPACECRAFT CAPABILITIES
Currently The US, Russia and China possess human orbital spacecraft. Notably, SpaceX and Boeing have successfully demonstrated their expertise. And now, India’s Gaganyan mission aims to join this elite group by the end of the year 2024. This program will commence with an uncrewed flight featuring a humanoid robot named “Vyomitra” Sanskrit for “Space friend”.
While technical issues arose, the mission’s significance remains.
Here, NASA has decided to bring Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore back to the Earth using Space X’s “Dragon Spacecraft ”. In February 2025, when a new mission heads to the ISS, instead of 4 astronauts only two will be sent making two seats for Sunita and Barry.
So, 8 months in Space, which was actually supposed to be 8 days sounds REAL CRAZYYY!!!
