Extended Stay of Astronauts at the International Space Station

Source-This post on Extended Stay of Astronauts at the International Space Station has been created based on the article “NASA’s Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore could be stuck in Space till 2025: What happens now?” published in “The Indian Express” on 12 August 2024.

UPSC Syllabus-GS Paper-3- Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, Robotics

Context- Astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore are stuck on the International Space Station (ISS) longer than expected because of problems with their Boeing Starliner spacecraft. NASA now says they might stay in space until February 2025, much longer than their original one-week plan. Although this situation is unusual, there is no immediate danger, as the ISS can comfortably house them for the next six months.

If Starliner’s issues aren’t fixed soon, they may have to wait until February 2025 to return. A SpaceX mission scheduled for September 2024 could bring them back, but this would mean reducing the returning crew from four to two astronauts.

What are the issues faced by Boeing Starliner?

The Boeing Starliner spacecraft faced multiple issues

A) A helium leak was discovered in the propulsion system before launch, and two more leaks happened during the trip to the ISS.

B) After docking, more issues arose, leading to safety concerns about the return journey. Ground engineers are still working to fix these problems.

What is the International Space Station (ISS)?

1) Description-The ISS orbits Earth about 400 km above the surface and has been continuously inhabited since November 2000. It is managed by space agencies from the United States, Russia, Japan, Canada, and Europe. While it usually hosts seven astronauts, it can hold more if needed.

2) Size and Facilities -The ISS is larger than a typical six-bedroom apartment, equipped with six sleeping quarters, two bathrooms, and a gym. It can also accommodate up to 8 spacecraft docking at the same time.

3) ISS Operations and Logistics – Regular cargo missions supply the ISS with essentials and handle maintenance. For instance, Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus spacecraft recently delivered over 3,700 kg of supplies and removed waste, which burns when re-entering Earth. However, these cargo spacecrafts cannot transport humans as they lack specialized capsules.

Read More- GAGANYAAN- Indian Human Spaceflight Programme.

What are the Health Implications of Extended Space Stays?

a) Accelerated bone density and muscle quality deterioration.

b) Alterations in brain structure due to changes in brain fluids.

c) Increased risk of heart disease

d) Vision-related issues

e) Higher cancer risk due to DNA damage from radiation exposure

Way ahead-This situation highlights the importance of reliable spacecraft for crew transport and the need for contingency planning in space missions.

Question for practice

What are the Health Implications of Extended Space Stays?