Sunita Williams in Space: These days Indian astronaut Sunita Williams is in the news. Sunita Williams, who went on a space trip for a week in the month of June, is now stuck there. Her eight-day mission has turned into a mission of about eight months.
ShareSunita Williams in Space: These days Indian astronaut Sunita Williams is in a lot of discussion. Sunita Williams, who went on a space trip for a week in the month of June, is now stuck there. Her eight-day mission has turned into a mission of about eight months. Boeing’s first astronaut mission ‘Starliner’, which went to the International Space Station with Sunita and her fellow astronaut Butch Wilmore, has returned to Earth. Due to technical problems, both the astronauts did not return from Starliner. NASA has decided to send SpaceX to bring both of them. But SpaceX’s launch could not happen as per the scheduled time. SpaceX was to leave for space by the end of September, but now it has been delayed. In such a situation, February 2025 has been fixed for the return of Sunita and Woolmore. The question is, where will Sunita and Wilmore stay and what will they do for such a long time? Apart from this, if there is an emergency, then what will happen to these people? Let’s know the answers to these questions…
Where will Sunita and Wilmore stay
If you are interested in space news, then you will know that NASA has built a base there, which is called International Space Station (ISS). In simple words, it is somewhat like an airport, where many planes take off and land. However, the International Space Station is much more advanced, safe and well-equipped than this. According to NASA, this International Space Station has been in space for the last 25 years and more than 270 astronauts have visited it. Now, till next February, this will be the abode of Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore.
What are the security arrangements
NASA’s space station is the largest artificial object in space. However, it is designed in such a way that it can handle all kinds of emergencies. The astronauts who go here are also trained in such a way that they can face different situations. To ensure that everything in the space station runs smoothly, NASA has set up a mission control center on the ground. It is in the city of Houston, USA, named Johnson Space Center. From here, there is constant communication with the astronauts present in the ISS. Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore had informed this mission control about the malfunction in the Boeing Starliner. The scientists present here keep an eye on all the activities related to the space station. Apart from this, precautions are also taken in view of previous incidents like garbage falling in space or fire on the Mir space station.
There are such facilities on the ISS
,The International Space Station has its own oxygen generating system. It restores about 50 percent oxygen from carbon dioxide.
,A special type of recycling system is installed on the ISS. It converts urine and sweat moisture into drinking water.
,Astronauts get dehydrated and ready-to-eat food on this space station. This food is prepared at NASA’s Space Food Systems Laboratory, Houston.
,Apart from this, keeping fitness in mind, special types of machines have also been installed for doing exercises etc.
if there is an emergency
Now the question arises that if there is an emergency, what will happen to the astronauts present in the space station? Let us tell you that first of all, the team of Mission Control keeps monitoring every moment. The people present in the space station or the team present here can contact the space station in real time. It is something like in an emergency we or you call someone and ask for help. Preparations are also made for the worst situations. The most important thing is that at present five spacecraft are parked at the International Station. The latest among them is Russia’s spacecraft which reached there on 11 September 2024. Apart from this, SpaceX Dragon Endeavor (Crew-8 Mission), Northtop Grumman Resupply Ship, Soyuz ML 25 Crew Ship, Progress 88 and 89 Resupply Ship are parked at the International Space Station. If ever such a situation arises that the astronauts have to go out there, then they can be evacuated from these spacecraft.
what will both of them do
The question also arises that what will Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore do on the space station for such a long time? According to NASA, both of them are very experienced astronauts. Captain Wilmore is retired from the Navy. Both of them will be engaged in the repair and maintenance of the station along with other astronauts present in the space station. Apart from this, they will also keep doing work related to experiments and research. Now since both of them have to stay in space for a long time, the schedule of Sunita Williams and Butch Williams has also been changed. According to NASA, the exercise schedule has been increased for their fitness. According to this, they will have to follow a two and a half hour exercise schedule every day. This includes 60 minutes of weightlifting, 30 to 35 minutes of cardio (running or cycling). Apart from this, reading and listening to podcasts will also be in their routine.