SpaceX capsule docks at ISS to rescue astronauts months after being stranded
Topics: Space X, NASA, International Space Station, Elon Musk, Science
Callum Jones
Featured Image Credit: NASA
Topics: Space X, NASA, International Space Station, Elon Musk, Science
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.
Back in June, astronauts Barry 'Butch' Wilmore and Suni Williams embarked on what was meant to be an eight-day mission, but it has been anything but.
As they were flying through space and towards the ISS, they encountered several problems with the capsule, as the Boeing Starliner, which they were on, experienced five helium leaks.
Five manoeuvring thrusters also went dead.
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As a result, Wilmore and Williams have been stuck on board the ISS waiting for a means of getting home.
While some believe NASA could have go out of the sticky situation themselves, the space agency has since enlisted the help of Elon Musk's SpaceX.
Speaking at a press conference earlier this month from the ISS, Wilmore said: “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.
“And it was trying at times. There were some tough times all the way through.
“You certainly, as the commander and the PLT (pilot) of your spacecraft, you don’t want to see it go off without you, but that’s where we wound up.”
SpaceX launched its Dragon capsule, which has spare seats for Wilmore and Williams, on Saturday.
The spacecraft was initially meant to take off from Cape Canaveral, Florida, on Thursday, but was delayed because of Hurricane Helene, which has wreaked havoc across the state.
The Dragon capsule docked on the ISS on Sunday, but it won't be taking the astronauts back home anytime soon.
The return trip to bring the astronauts back won't commence until February 2025, making this planned eight-day mission even longer.
When asked if he is finding the wait difficult, Wilmore said: "I’m not gonna fret over it. I mean, there’s no benefit to it at all. So my transition was — maybe it wasn’t instantaneous — but it was pretty close."
Williams, on the other hand, stated missing big family events over the past few months has produced some sadness, but has declared the ISS 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."