Indian-origin NASA astronaut Sunita Williams, alongside her fellow astronaut Butch Wilmore, finds herself in an increasingly precarious situation as they extend their stay in space. Originally slated to return to Earth within eight days, the mission has faced significant delays, now stretching over two months, with experts predicting a further delay of up to eight months due to technical issues with the Boeing Starliner spacecraft. This situation has raised serious concerns about the astronauts' safety, with experts warning of potential life-threatening scenarios.
According to a report, Rudy Ridolfi, a former commander of U.S. military space systems, has highlighted a particularly alarming possibility: the astronauts could end up stranded in space with only 96 hours of oxygen remaining.
Ridolfi explains that this dire scenario could occur if the Starliner, which is currently grappling with malfunctioning thrusters, attempts re-entry into Earth's atmosphere at an improper angle. Such an attempt could cause the spacecraft to "bounce" off the Earth's atmosphere, leaving it stuck in orbit and the astronauts with limited oxygen.
Ridolfi has outlined two additional scenarios that could endanger the astronauts on their journey back to Earth. One possibility is that the spacecraft might fail to re-enter Earth's atmosphere altogether due to faulty alignment. In this case, the Starliner would be left stranded in space indefinitely, leaving the astronauts without a viable return plan.
The second, and perhaps most terrifying, scenario involves the spacecraft attempting re-entry at a steep angle. Ridolfi warns that such an angle could cause the Starliner's heat shield to fail under the extreme friction and heat generated during re-entry. If this occurs, the spacecraft could burn up before reaching the Earth's surface, leading to a catastrophic outcome for the two astronauts onboard.
Compounding the technical challenges, Sunita Williams, aged 58, is reportedly experiencing eyesight issues due to the extended exposure to microgravity. This condition, known as Spaceflight Associated Neuro-ocular Syndrome (SANS), affects fluid distribution in the body, leading to visual disturbances such as blurred vision and changes in eye structure. SANS is a common issue for astronauts on long-duration space missions, and it adds another layer of complexity to the already risky situation.
In light of the ongoing issues with the Boeing Starliner, NASA is considering alternative plans to bring the astronauts back to Earth safely. One such plan involves using SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft, which is scheduled for departure in September 2024. However, this plan is not without its challenges. A significant concern is the incompatibility of the current spacesuits with the Crew Dragon spacecraft. NASA is actively working on finding a solution, including the possibility of sending additional SpaceX flight suits with the Crew-9 Dragon mission to ensure the astronauts' safety during the return trip.
The situation involving Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore underscores the inherent risks of space exploration. As NASA and its partners work tirelessly to resolve the technical issues plaguing the Boeing Starliner, the safety of the astronauts remains the top priority. This unfolding drama serves as a stark reminder of the dangers astronauts face and the critical importance of robust and reliable spacecraft systems. As the world watches and waits, the hope is that NASA will successfully navigate these challenges and bring Williams and Wilmore home safely.