NASA’s Bold Decision: Wilmore and Williams to Stay at ISS Until 2025

• Former astronaut José Hernández supports NASA’s choice to leave Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams at the ISS until 2025.
• The Boeing Starliner is set to undock next month, returning uncrewed for safety reasons.
• The ISS crew size will increase to nine, providing more opportunities for scientific work.

A Wise Choice for Safety

Former astronaut José Hernández commends NASA’s decision to keep astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams stationed at the International Space Station (ISS) until early 2025. The duo has been living and working in space since June, and their return is now postponed until a SpaceX capsule is ready to bring them back.

Concerns about their extended stay are understandable, but Hernández believes that the potential risks associated with a hasty return made this decision a wise one. He explained that the aerospace community, except perhaps for Boeing, saw this coming. The Boeing Starliner, which initially ferried Wilmore and Williams to the ISS, will return to Earth without a crew on board. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson emphasized that test flights inherently involve risks, and the commitment to safety influenced this critical decision.

Science in Space: More Hands on Deck

With the addition of Wilmore and Williams, the ISS crew will swell from seven to nine, creating a bustling environment for scientific research. Hernández has expressed optimism about the increased workload, stating that there’s a myriad of experiments to conduct. The two astronauts will surely keep busy, which should ease concerns about their extended time in microgravity.

As for the psychological aspect of staying longer in space, Hernández has confidence in the resilience and professionalism of NASA astronauts. He acknowledged that there might be some disappointment about missing specific plans for the upcoming months, such as holidays or other personal milestones. However, he reassured that these highly-trained individuals are equipped to handle the situation and will adapt well.

Jon’s Take

As we ponder the extraordinary journey of astronauts in the vastness of space, it raises an intriguing question: how does extended time away from Earth affect human psychology and physical health? What if we could learn from their experience to improve future long-duration missions, perhaps even to other planets? The truth isn’t just out there – it’s right here, waiting to be discovered.


Original Article