Nasa astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore are set to address the public for the first time since the empty return of the Boeing Starliner spacecraft.
The Earth-to-space call is scheduled for Friday, September 13, where the duo will participate in a news conference from the International Space Station (ISS).
Williams and Wilmore launched on Boeing's Starliner spacecraft on June 5, 2024, as part of its inaugural crewed flight, docking with the space station the following day.
However, their mission took an unexpected turn when Nasa decided to return the Starliner spacecraft to Earth without its crew due to technical concerns. This decision has extended the astronauts' stay on the ISS considerably, with their return now scheduled for February 2025.
During the upcoming conference, Williams and Wilmore are expected to share their experiences and insights from their prolonged mission.
They will likely discuss the challenges and opportunities presented by their extended stay, as well as provide updates on their ongoing scientific research and daily life aboard the orbiting laboratory.
The astronauts' return journey has been rescheduled to take place aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, as part of Nasa's SpaceX Crew-9 mission. This change in plans highlights the flexibility and cooperation between different commercial spaceflight providers in ensuring continued access to the ISS.
As members of the Expedition 71/72 crew, Williams and Wilmore continue to contribute to the vital scientific research and technological demonstrations conducted on the ISS.
Their extended mission provides valuable data on long-duration spaceflight, which is crucial for future deep space exploration missions.
