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Astronauts Detail Harrowing Space Station Mission After Extended Orbital Stay
Two astronauts recently returned from an unexpectedly extended 286-day mission in space have recounted their perilous journey, revealing the critical moments that could have resulted in them being lost in the cosmos. Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams, veteran space travelers, launched aboard Boeing’s inaugural crewed Starliner flight on June 5 of the previous year, initially slated for a much shorter stay.
Troubled Journey to the ISS
SpaceX ultimately transported the pair back to Earth late last month, concluding a space odyssey significantly prolonged beyond its original schedule following a fraught test flight to the International Space Station (ISS). During their ascent to the ISS, the experienced astronauts, both retired Navy captains, were compelled to manually intervene when the Starliner capsule encountered a series of critical malfunctions, including thruster failures and helium leaks, jeopardizing their mission to reach the orbital outpost.
Near-Disaster During Docking Approach
The astronauts have now disclosed alarming specifics regarding the persistent issues that plagued their capsule from the mission’s outset, including a near-catastrophe as they neared the ISS. In an interview with Arstechnica, Mr. Wilmore recounted how, within close proximity to the space station, a second thruster malfunctioned. According to flight protocols, this failure alone should have triggered an immediate return to Earth.
He described the tense moments of assuming manual control of the spacecraft, only for a third and then a fourth thruster to also fail, effectively eliminating forward propulsion. This cascade of failures forced Mr. Wilmore to urgently assess whether to proceed with docking or abort the mission and return to Earth.
“There was a profound unspoken understanding between us, acknowledging the gravity of the precarious situation,” Mr. Wilmore stated. “I believe we both strongly desired to dock with the space station directly ahead.”
“We were aware of the intense efforts by Mission Control to maintain communication and retain command capabilities. We were also acutely conscious of the potential consequences should communication with ground control be lost,” he added.
Mr. Wilmore further explained the uncertainty surrounding their return trajectory, noting the capsule’s position below the space station’s orbital plane.
“Being positioned below the station implies a faster orbital velocity, a principle of orbital mechanics that would naturally cause us to drift away from the station,” he clarified.
“I was rapidly processing numerous critical questions. What level of control did we possess? What if more thrusters failed? What if communication was lost entirely? What would be our contingency plan?”
Ms. Williams admitted to experiencing growing anxiety as the capsule began to deviate slightly from its intended approach path. She explained that the Starliner’s automated systems were programmed to abort the docking sequence if the capsule veered outside pre-defined operational limits.
Thruster Reboot and Successful Docking
In Houston, mission experts made the crucial decision to attempt a reboot of the malfunctioning thrusters, necessitating Mr. Wilmore to relinquish manual control of the spacecraft in order to allow ground controllers to intervene. “That was a difficult decision to make,” he admitted, given the precarious circumstances.
Fortunately, in what was described as a bittersweet success, two of the four thrusters were successfully reactivated after flight controllers bypassed the Starliner’s onboard computer systems. However, this partial victory was immediately followed by the failure of yet another thruster.
“I attribute the reactivation of those two thrusters just before the fifth failed to divine intervention,” Mr. Wilmore stated, reflecting on the near-miraculous recovery. He acknowledged the apprehension he felt when mission control requested him to cede control during the critical final approach to the space station.
His concern centered on the potential failure of the system to revert back to manual mode from automatic control. “All of these considerations were racing through my mind in real-time. Ultimately, I relinquished control, and of course, we successfully docked,” he concluded.
Ms. Williams expressed immense relief and elation upon reaching the space station. “I was incredibly happy,” she recounted. “As viewers of the video footage may recall, I performed a small celebratory dance upon entering the space station. This was partly due to my inherent joy in being in space and my happiness at joining our wonderful colleagues already aboard. But more importantly, it was an expression of profound relief that Starliner had successfully docked with the space station.”
“My overwhelming emotion at that moment was one of profound relief – ‘Phew, we made it. Let’s take a moment to breathe and fully understand the sequence of events that just transpired’,” Ms. Williams explained.
Mission Reflection and Future Confidence
In their first public news conference since returning to Earth, the pair conveyed their surprise at the extensive public interest in their mission. They emphasized their commitment to prioritizing the mission’s objectives above personal concerns, including those related to their families.
Mr. Wilmore openly accepted a degree of responsibility for the complications encountered during Boeing’s troubled test flight. “I will begin by directing responsibility inward, acknowledging my own potential role,” he stated. “There were questions I could have posed, and the responses to those inquiries might have altered the course of events. Responsibility extends throughout the entire chain of command. We all share ownership of this outcome.”
Despite the significant challenges and risks involved, both astronauts affirmed their unwavering confidence in the Starliner program and their willingness to fly on it again. “Because we are committed to resolving every issue we encountered. We are dedicated to fixing them. We are determined to ensure its operational success,” Mr. Wilmore asserted. He added he would return to space on Starliner “without hesitation.”
Ms. Williams concurred, highlighting Starliner’s “substantial capabilities” and expressing her strong desire to see the program succeed. “We are completely committed,” she affirmed.