Stranded Cleveland Astronaut Welcomes SpaceX Rescuers and Space Force Guardian at ISS

(WCTU) — SpaceX's Crew Dragon spacecraft successfully docked at the International Space Station (ISS) Sunday night, marking the beginning of a months-long mission to return two astronauts who have been stranded aboard the ISS since June. Sunita Williams, a Cleveland native, and Commander Barry Wilmore were originally scheduled to return to Earth after an eight-day mission in Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft. However, technical issues with the Starliner’s propulsion system left the astronauts in orbit for what will be an eight-month stay.

The SpaceX rescue capsule, commanded by Col. Nick Hague of NASA and Russia’s Alexander Gorbunov, arrived at the ISS at approximately 5:30 p.m. Eastern time on Sunday, after launching from Florida’s Cape Canaveral on Saturday. Although the spacecraft has reached the station, the return trip for Williams and Wilmore won’t occur until February 2025. NASA opted to rely on SpaceX for their safe return following the Starliner’s thruster malfunctions and helium leaks, which were deemed too risky to attempt another crewed flight.

Williams, a seasoned astronaut and a beloved figure in her hometown of Cleveland, watched the SpaceX launch from the ISS and expressed her excitement for the arrival of the Crew Dragon. “Go Dragon!” she was heard cheering as the spacecraft approached. She and Wilmore have adjusted to the unexpected extension of their stay, even referring to the space station as their “happy place.” Speaking in a NASA press conference from orbit, Williams acknowledged the challenges of their extended mission but maintained an optimistic outlook. “That’s how it goes in this business,” she said, adding that the crew had to focus on “the next opportunity.”

Boeing’s Starliner, which was intended to return the astronauts to Earth, encountered several issues during its mission, including thruster problems that surfaced shortly after its June 5 launch. Despite multiple attempts to resolve these malfunctions, NASA deemed the Starliner unfit for the astronauts’ return, resulting in an empty spacecraft’s re-entry to Earth in September. NASA deputy program manager Dina Contella confirmed that thorough inspections of the Starliner are ongoing, but it will remain grounded until the malfunctions are better understood.

Hague, who is also the first Space Force “guardian” launched into space, commented on the unpredictability of space travel before his departure from Cape Canaveral. "There’s always something that is changing [with spaceflight]. Maybe this time it’s been a little more visible to the public," he said, acknowledging the added attention to the mission's rescue element. He added that the crew is well-prepared for the complex tasks ahead.

The Crew Dragon spacecraft’s arrival temporarily brings the number of ISS inhabitants to 11, though this figure will decrease once four astronauts who have been on the station since March make their scheduled return to Earth later this month. The astronauts, who were also impacted by the delays with Boeing’s spacecraft, were originally slated to return in September but had their stay extended due to the Starliner’s issues.

SpaceX has provided NASA with transportation to and from the ISS since its first astronaut flight in 2020, filling a critical gap in NASA’s space operations since the retirement of its shuttle program. While Boeing was also contracted to ferry astronauts, its Starliner program has faced significant challenges, including software flaws and delays that have cost the company over $1 billion in repairs.

Despite the setbacks, NASA officials maintain that Boeing is not out of the picture. "We’re a long way from saying, 'Hey, we’re writing off Boeing,'" said Jim Free, NASA’s associate administrator, during a pre-launch briefing. He confirmed that reviews of the Starliner’s performance are ongoing and that NASA hopes to resolve the issues in time for future missions.

For Williams and Wilmore, the delay in their return has been an unexpected but manageable obstacle. “It’s been quite an evolution over the last three months,” Wilmore noted during a press briefing. He added that while the situation had its "tough times," they remained focused on their tasks aboard the ISS, which included scientific research and station maintenance. Their extended stay has allowed them to participate in additional space studies, making their mission more valuable than originally planned.

As NASA continues to investigate the problems with Boeing’s Starliner, SpaceX’s Crew Dragon will serve as the astronauts' return vehicle in early 2025, marking yet another milestone in SpaceX’s role as a vital partner in NASA’s space exploration program.

Additional news coverage on this, from other local networks, can be found at the following sources:

1. Sky News, " SpaceX's rescue flight for two stranded astronauts on ISS takes off ." Available online.

2. Daily Mail, " SpaceX capsule arrives at space station to save NASA astronauts stranded by Boeing's Starliner ." Available online.

3. Task & Purpose, " The Space Force launched its first guardian into space over the weekend ." Available online.