Mission to bring home astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore: Nasa crew reaches space station

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SpaceX’s Crew Dragon capsule successfully docked with the ISS, bringing much-needed relief to astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore after being stranded in orbit for over nine months. The Crew-10 team, consisting of astronauts from Nasa, JAXA, and Roscosmos, has arrived to replace them and take over their duties.

SpaceX‘s Crew Dragon capsule successfully opened its hatch to dock with the International Space Station (ISS) on Sunday, bringing relief to Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore who have been stranded in orbit for over nine months.

The Crew Dragon astronauts were seen on live television embracing their counterparts in zero gravity.

Crew-10 team arrives at ISS

The Crew-10 team, consisting of Nasa astronauts Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency’s Takuya Onishi, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Kirill Peskov, has arrived at the ISS to replace astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, who have been stranded since their mission last June.

The Crew-10 team will spend the next several days acclimating to the ISS and taking over the responsibilities of Williams and Wilmore. The two astronauts had expected to return to Earth after a brief stay but have remained in orbit for nearly nine months due to technical delays with their return capsule.

Extended stay on the space station

Williams and Wilmore had originally launched with Boeing’s Starliner capsule, which faced numerous issues during its maiden flight, leaving the astronauts stranded longer than expected. The delays were further compounded when their replacement capsule underwent extensive battery repairs, pushing back their return by several weeks.

The Crew-10 team’s arrival marks the beginning of the final phase of the extended mission for Williams and Wilmore, who are scheduled to return to Earth aboard the SpaceX capsule later this week.

The road ahead

With the successful docking of Crew Dragon and the handover of duties, Nasa and its international partners are focused on completing the return mission of the stranded astronauts. The Crew-10 team will continue their work aboard the ISS while preparations for the homecoming of Williams and Wilmore are underway.

TOI Science Desk

The TOI Science Desk stands as an inquisitive team of journalists, ceaselessly delving into the realms of discovery to curate a captivating collection of news, features, and articles from the vast and ever-evolving world of science for the readers of The Times of India. Consider us your scientific companion, delivering a daily dose of wonder and enlightenment. Whether it’s the intricacies of genetic engineering, the marvels of space exploration, or the latest in artificial intelligence, the TOI Science Desk ensures you stay connected to the pulse of the scientific world. At the TOI Science Desk, we are not just reporters; we are storytellers of scientific narratives. We are committed to demystifying the intricacies of science, making it accessible and engaging for readers of all backgrounds. Join us as we craft knowledge with precision and passion, bringing you on a journey where the mysteries of the universe unfold with every word.Read More

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Indian Deportation