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Sunita Williams’ return from space remains uncertain as NASA updates on the International Space Station (ISS).
NEW DELHI: Sunita Williams’ return from space remains uncertain as NASA updates on the International Space Station (ISS), where the Indian-born astronaut currently resides temporarily. Astronauts on the ISS sought shelter for an hour after a defunct Russian satellite shattered into over 100 pieces nearby.
According to Leolabs, the debris from the satellite poses a prolonged risk, taking weeks to months to clear due to its low orbit. Media reports quote LeoLabs stating, “The debris cloud’s low orbit means it will take weeks to months for the danger to subside.”
On Wednesday, Russian satellite RESURS-P1 (#39186) fragmented into hundreds of pieces in low-Earth orbit. While ISS astronauts are currently safe, the incident contributes to space debris. The US Space Command reported nearly 100 trackable debris pieces from the explosion.
According to Space Command, the aircraft broke apart around 10 am Mountain Time (1600 GMT) on Wednesday in an orbit near the space station. Following the incident, all astronauts on board, including Sunita Williams, were instructed to take shelter in their spacecraft for about an hour.
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NASA and agencies involved in Sunita Williams’ Boeing Starliner program have not commented officially on how the incident might impact her return to Earth. Williams and Butch Wilmore are aboard the Starliner, docked at the ISS since June 6 for its first crewed test mission.
The short-duration mission of Williams and Wilmore aboard Boeing’s Starliner faces delays, potentially extending their return by months. Initially planned for a few days, the crewed test flight now lacks a confirmed return date, with NASA considering extending the mission from 45 to 90 days, according to media sources.
NASA’s Commercial Crew Program manager, Steve Stich, acknowledged the uncertainty, stating there is currently no set return date in sight amid ongoing evaluations.
