Chinese Astronauts Set New Spacewalk Record

Extended Mission: NASA Astronauts Face Prolonged Stay in Space

NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore will extend their mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS) from an expected eight days to a staggering ten months, with their return now pushed to March or April 2025. This significant delay stems from ongoing issues with the Boeing Starliner capsule, including helium leaks and thruster malfunctions, which have hampered its operational readiness. As a result, the planned crew change, initially scheduled for February, has also been affected. The astronauts, who have already spent six months in space, are now set to return to Earth aboard SpaceX's Dragon capsule, which will also facilitate the return of two additional astronauts from the ISS. The challenges with the Starliner capsule highlight the complexities of space travel and the need for reliable spacecraft, especially as NASA prepares for future lunar and Martian missions. This extended stay allows Williams and Wilmore to conduct longer-term research and observe the effects of prolonged space habitation on the human body. Their mission, alongside the incoming Crew 9 and Crew 10, will be a critical step in understanding the demands of deep space exploration. The record for the longest space duration is currently held by Russian cosmonauts at 374 days, and this extended mission could provide valuable insights for upcoming manned missions beyond Earth.