In this NASA photo, astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams are seen posing together inside the vestibule connecting the International Space Station's Harmony module and Boeing's Starliner spacecraft on June 13, 2024. (NASA)
When astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore launched toward the International Space Station (ISS) this summer, they were only meant to be away for about a week. They were part of the first crewed flight test of Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft and left Earth without personal items like toiletries, anticipating a short stay. But what was planned as a brief mission has stretched into an extended journey, as the two astronauts have now been orbiting Earth for over 11 weeks.
NASA recently announced that Williams and Wilmore will remain at the ISS until early 2025. This delay stems from ongoing issues with their Starliner capsule, leading NASA to arrange for SpaceX to bring them home aboard a Crew Dragon spacecraft instead.
So, what will these astronauts be up to for the extra months? While they initially joined the ISS as guests and not as part of the station’s regular crew, they’ve integrated seamlessly with the current Expedition 71 team. Now, they are expected to officially join the ISS crew and participate fully in the mission.
Williams and Wilmore will become part of the upcoming Crew-9 mission, scheduled for launch as early as September 24. This mission typically involves replacing expedition staff, but due to the delays, the Crew Dragon will carry only two astronauts instead of four. The remaining seats will be filled with ballast to balance the spacecraft during its journey.
Once Crew-9 arrives, Williams and Wilmore will be part of Expedition 72, which includes both astronauts and Russian cosmonauts. Their duties will involve conducting spacewalks, maintaining the ISS, and performing numerous scientific experiments. Despite the surprise extension, both astronauts are well-prepared for these tasks. NASA had anticipated the possibility of a longer stay and ensured that Williams and Wilmore had the necessary training and supplies.
“The decision to prepare for an extended stay was made years ago,” said Dana Weigel, NASA’s ISS Program manager. “Butch and Suni are fully trained and equipped to handle everything they might encounter.”
During their extended mission, Williams and Wilmore have already begun adapting to their new roles. They have been involved in maintaining the ISS, inspecting hardware, organizing cargo, and participating in scientific research. Recently, Wilmore assisted in setting up a new airlock designed to deploy satellites and other equipment.
The astronauts have also found moments of enjoyment in space. On July 26, NASA released footage of them having fun in microgravity, mimicking Olympic events like discus and pommel horse. Williams has a history of space athleticism, having completed a triathlon in space during a previous mission in 2012.
The unexpected extension of their stay is not unique. Astronauts occasionally remain on the ISS longer than planned due to various factors, such as mission delays or issues with spacecraft. For instance, NASA astronaut Frank Rubio set a U.S. record for the longest continuous space flight after a coolant leak delayed his return.
Williams and Wilmore’s extended mission also highlights the practical challenges of space travel. When they first arrived, their personal belongings were left behind to make space for critical equipment. Fortunately, a recent cargo resupply mission brought new supplies, including food and personal items for the astronauts.
NASA continues to monitor the situation closely, balancing the extra workload and resource consumption caused by the extended crew. “We need to bring them home to return to a normal crew size,” said Ken Bowersox, NASA’s Space Operations Mission Directorate associate administrator.
