NASA Astronauts and New Crew Members Arrive at the ISS
Live Earth-to-Space Call with NASA Astronauts
On Friday, September 13, at 2:15 p.m. NASA is requesting that members of the media join astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams for an Earth-to-space teleconference starting at 2:00 PM EDT. The pair will participate in a news conference aboard the International Space Station (ISS), providing a unique opportunity for the public to hear about their experiences and ongoing work. The event will be streamed live on NASA+, the NASA app, and the agency’s website. Media wishing to participate must contact NASA’s Johnson Space Center by 5 p.m. EDT on Thursday, September 12. Questions for the astronauts should be submitted no later than 10 minutes before the call begins.
Extended Mission for Williams and Wilmore
Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, who launched aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft on June 5, 2024, have faced an unexpected extension of their mission. Initially planned as an eight-day trip, technical issues with the Starliner led to a decision to return the spacecraft to Earth without its crew. Williams and Wilmore will thus stay on the ISS until February 2025. They will eventually return home aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft as part of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-9 mission.
During tonight’s live conference, Williams and Wilmore will discuss their ongoing scientific research, daily life aboard the ISS, and their experiences during this extended mission. The call will offer valuable insights into life in space and the challenges associated with prolonged missions.
Arrival of New Crew Members
In addition to the extended stay of Sunita Williams and Wilmore, the ISS has recently welcomed three new crew members. NASA astronaut Don Pettit and Russian cosmonauts Alexey Ovchinin and Ivan Wagner arrived at the ISS earlier today aboard a Russian Soyuz spacecraft. The docking occurred at 3:32 p.m. EDT after a journey of just two Earth orbits. Pettit, the oldest active NASA astronaut at 69, has previously spent 370 days in space. Ovchinin, a seasoned cosmonaut with four Soyuz missions, and Wagner are also experienced space travelers.
Pettit, Ovchinin, and Wagner will join the current crew of the ISS, including Sunita Williams, Wilmore, and other astronauts and cosmonauts. Their mission will last approximately six months, during which they will contribute to various scientific endeavors as part of Expedition 71 and 72.
Health Monitoring and Ongoing Research
Recent activities aboard the ISS have included crucial health monitoring procedures for the astronauts. Both Williams and Wilmore underwent comprehensive eye examinations, a routine check for potential vision issues that some astronauts experience during extended space missions. These tests are conducted using standard medical imaging equipment, with ground personnel monitoring in real time to ensure the astronauts’ well-being.
Sunita Williams and Wilmore have been working on other scientific projects in addition to health examinations. In the Kibo laboratory module, Sunita Sunita Williams has overseen cargo transfers from the Cygnus space carrier in addition to working on combustion research devices. Wilmore has examined microbe samples for further research and concentrated on power supply parts in the Columbus module. In the Kibo laboratory module, Sunita Sunita Williams has overseen cargo transfers from the Cygnus space carrier in addition to working on combustion research devices. Wilmore has examined microbe samples for further research and concentrated on power supply parts in the Columbus module.
The Soyuz MS-26 spacecraft hatch was officially opened at 5:58pm ET where @NASA_Astronauts Don Pettit and cosmonauts Alexey Ovichinin and Ivan Vagner were welcomed by the current crew on the International @Space_Station. pic.twitter.com/U51jcVMhdB
— NASA's Johnson Space Center (@NASA_Johnson) September 11, 2024
As NASA prepares for the astronauts’ return in early 2025 aboard the SpaceX Dragon capsule, tonight’s live conference will offer a glimpse into the daily life and scientific work happening aboard the ISS. The extended mission highlights the resilience and adaptability of space missions, ensuring continued progress in scientific research and international cooperation in space exploration.
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