Astronaut Sunita Williams was stuck in space for 9 months due to technical issues with Starliner. Learn why she couldn’t return and how NASA solved it!
Why Did She Go to Space?
On June 5, 2024, Sunita Williams and her teammate Barry “Butch” Wilmore traveled to the International Space Station (ISS) aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft.
The mission, called Crew Flight Test (CFT), was meant to test whether Starliner was safe for future space missions. It was supposed to last only eight days (Reuters).
Why Couldn’t She Return?
NASA engineers found serious issues with Starliner.
- Helium leaks that could affect its fuel system.
- Thruster malfunctions, making it unsafe for a return journey.
Because of these issues, NASA decided to keep the astronauts on the ISS while engineers worked on solutions (FT).
Why Was She Stuck for So Long?
Since fixing a spacecraft in space is very difficult, NASA turned to SpaceX for a safer return.
Meanwhile, Sunita Williams and Wilmore continued working on ISS experiments and maintenance while waiting (Business Insider).
How Did She Finally Return?
Since Starliner was still unsafe, NASA asked SpaceX for help. Finally, on March 18, 2025, Williams and Wilmore returned to Earth using SpaceX’s Dragon Freedom spacecraft (Reuters).
What Happened After Landing?
After spending 286 days in space, astronauts must retrain their bodies to adjust to Earth’s gravity. Sunita Williams and her team started a 45-day recovery program to regain their strength and balance (The Sun).
Why Is This Important?
This event is a great lesson in space travel because:
- Space missions are unpredictable, and astronauts must always be prepared.
- Teamwork between NASA, Boeing, and SpaceX was essential to bring them home safely.
- Technology is still improving, and every mission helps make future space travel safer.
Her home village in Gujarat, India, even celebrated her safe return with joy and pride! (Cadena SER).
Even though she was stuck for months, Sunita Williams stayed strong and never gave up—a true inspiration for space explorers! 🚀
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