SPACEX CAPSULE FINALLY DOCS ISS TO SAVE ASTRONAUTS STRANDED FOR MONTHS

A SpaceX capsule has safely made its way into space to rescue a pair of astronauts who have been stranded on the International Space Station (ISS) for months. Astronauts Barry "Butch" Wilmore and Suni Williams set out on an eight-day mission back in June, but it has turned out to be much longer than that. The Boeing Starliner they were travelling on had five helium leaks, so as they were travelling through space and heading toward the International Space Station, they ran into several issues with the capsule. Five manoeuvring thrusters also went dead. Wilmore and Williams have consequently been stranded on board the ISS while they search for a way to return home. Although some people think NASA could have resolved the difficult situation on its own, the space agency has now enlisted SpaceX's Elon Musk for assistance. "It's been quite an evolution over the last three months, we've been involved from the beginning through all the processes of assessing our spacecraft, Calypso," Wilmore said during a press conference earlier this month from the International Space Station (ISS). At times, it was difficult. The entire time, there were some difficult moments. "You don't want to see your spacecraft go off without you, as the commander and PLT (pilot), but that's where we ended up." Wilmore and Williams' extra seats were part of the Dragon capsule that SpaceX launched on Saturday. The spacecraft was supposed to launch on Thursday from Cape Canaveral, Florida, but Hurricane Helene's devastation of the state caused a delay.

The astronauts won't be returning home in the Dragon capsule anytime soon, even though it docked on the ISS on Sunday. With the astronauts' return journey not starting until February 2025, this intended eight-day mission will take even longer than expected. In response to a question about how tough the wait is for him, Wilmore stated, "I won't worry about it. It has no advantages at all. Thus, while my shift wasn't quite instantaneous, it was quite close." Williams, however, acknowledged that missing significant family occasions over the past few months has caused her some sadness but described the International Space Station as her "happy place." She added: "I love being up here in space. It’s just fun. You know, every day you do something that’s work, quote, unquote, you can do it upside down. You can do it sideways, so it adds a little different perspective."