When astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore launched to the International Space Station (ISS) two months ago, they left Earth thinking they’d soon return. Instead, they found themselves part of the inaugural crewed flight test of Boeing's Starliner spacecraft and are now facing the possibility of staying aboard the space station for up to six more months. Their mission, expected to last about one week, has now turned uncertain as NASA weighs options due to unspecified issues with the Starliner.
Currently, Williams and Wilmore have spent more than 60 days on the ISS, and discussions are underway about extending their stay possibly until early 2025. The delay revolves around safety concerns related to their spacecraft. According to NASA officials, they need to settle on whether the Starliner is safe for their return, with some even hypothesizing on switching to plan B—a ride home aboard the SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule.
What would these astronauts do for potentially another half-year stay? Although they are not designated as part of the Expedition 71 crew—the official group responsible for the daily operations of the space station—they have integrated seamlessly with those astronauts, picking up various responsibilities during their time aboard.
Should their stay extend through February, Williams and Wilmore would transition to full-time crew members, taking on normal duties like conducting spacewalks, performing maintenance, and participating in scientific experiments. NASA has prepared for such contingencies. Dana Weigel, NASA's manager for the ISS program, shared during a recent briefing: "A couple years ago, we made the decision—a test flight means being ready for anything. We ensured they have the right resources, supplies, and training just in case they needed to stay longer." According to Weigel, both astronauts are equipped and qualified for whatever tasks come their way.
Meanwhile, NASA is considering the option of flying the Starliner capsule back empty. That wouldn't leave Williams and Wilmore suspended indefinitely; they would hitch a ride on SpaceX's upcoming Crew-9 mission, currently planned to carry four astronauts—NASA astronauts Zena Cardman, Nick Hague, and Stephanie Wilson, along with Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov. Under this contingency plan, two of those astronauts would replace Williams and Wilmore on Crew-9, allowing the mission to proceed as scheduled.
The Crew Dragon spacecraft, needed to maintain balance during flight, would carry ballast—heavy metal weights—in place of the two astronauts. This entire shuffle would help facilitate the transition, ensuring Williams and Wilmore could be officially integrated as part of the Expedition 72 once Crew-9 arrives.
While the operational side of things is busy, these astronauts haven’t missed out on the lighter side of space life. They’ve been keeping up with maintenance tasks onboard, but they also found time to unwind. NASA recently released fun footage showing them getting creative with weightless Olympic-style activities aboard the ISS.
Space station subsisting often involves more than just work. Williams already made history as the first person to complete a triathlon from space back in 2012 and has participated in many activities to maintain fitness, which is critical to counteract muscle and bone loss from extended time away from Earth.
Extended stays on the space station aren’t entirely unusual. NASA astronaut Frank Rubio, who initially signed up for a six-month mission, ended up spending 371 days after unplanned complications arose during his flight. Williams and Wilmore’s situation serves as yet another reminder of how dynamic conditions can be during space missions and how preparedness is always key.
A critical piece of this complex puzzle involves logistic support and supplies. Williams and Wilmore departed for the ISS without their personal luggage. NASA chose to unpack their bags to make space for extra equipment, like pumps, meant for servicing malfunctioning systems on the station. Fortunately, they received replenishments through resupply missions, and the recent arrival of Northrop Grumman’s cargo ship included everything from fresh fruits like radishes and blueberries to clothes and personal items.
Ken Bowersox, NASA's associate administrator for the Space Operations Mission Directorate, highlighted the importance of managing supplies. "While they’re up there, having extra crew means we can accomplish more tasks. But it’s also putting pressure on the resources available. We need to bring them home soon to get back to normal operational levels on the ISS."
The stakes are high, and every day presents new challenges and prospects for the astronauts. Their adaptability and professionalism lem them blend seamlessly with regular expedition activities, doing everything from system checks to participating actively in various science projects aboard the ISS.
On the horizon, as Williams and Wilmore prepare for the potential for some months more at the ISS, their experience will no doubt contribute to critical insights for future missions, pushing the boundaries of human presence beyond Earth. With so much at play, these spaceflights remind us of the dynamic and sometimes unpredictable nature of venturing beyond our home planet.
