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WG3K > ANS 22.12.24 01:40l 42 Lines 1994 Bytes #179 (0) @ AMSAT
BID : ANS357.2
Subj: NASA Astronauts Face More Time In Space With Return Delayed
Path: IZ3LSV<I0OJJ<EA2RCF<LU9DCE<W0ARP<K7EK<N3HYM<WG3K
Sent: 241222/0036Z 11162@WG3K.#SMD.MD.USA.NOAM LinBPQ6.0.24
NASA announced on Tuesday the latest delay in the homecoming for Butch
Wilmore and Suni Williams, KD5PLB. Their space mission was extended again.
That means they wont be back on Earth until spring, 10 months after
rocketing into orbit on Boeings Starliner capsule.
The two test pilots planned on being away just a week or so when they
blasted off June 5 on Boeings first astronaut flight to the International
Space Station. Their mission grew from eight days to eight months after
NASA decided to send the companys problem-plagued Starliner capsule back
empty in September.
Now the pair wont return until the end of March or even April because of a
delay in launching their replacements, according to NASA.
*NASA shared a holiday snapshot of astronauts Don Pettit and Suni Williams
on Dec. 17. [Credit: NASA Johnson]*
NASAs next crew of four was supposed to launch in February, followed by
Wilmores and Williams return home by the end of that month alongside two
other astronauts. But SpaceX needs more time to prepare the brand new
capsule for liftoff. That launch is now scheduled for no earlier than late
March.
Last month, news articles suggesting that Ms. Williams was experiencing
health problems during her unplanned extended stay in orbit set off
widespread rumors on social media. NASAs medical chief, Dr. James Polk,
assured the public on November 14 that Williams is healthy and not
suffering from any medical problems.
“I think theres some rumors around outside there that Im losing weight
and stuff,” Williams said in an interview on November 12. “No, Im actually
right at the same amount. Things shift around quite a bit, you know? ”
Not only is she healthy, according to her and NASA, but they made Williams
commander of Expedition 72 crew. As KD5PLB, she continues to be an active
participant in ARISS contacts during her time aboard the ISS.
[ANS thanks The Washington Post, Space.com, and NASA for the above
information]
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