Technical snags plaguing Beoing Starliner capsules have resulted in two astronauts - Sunita Williams and Billy Wilmore getting stranded aboard the International Space Station - both astronauts have expressed their confidence in spacecraft's ability to bring them back.

Starliner astronauts 'confident' on return trip, Sunita Williams & Billy Wilmore address press

Two astronauts from NASA, Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams, may be stuck in Boeing's Starliner till mid-August due to technical problems.&nbsp;

Both astronauts boarded the International Space Station (ISS) on June 5. The test mission was initially planned for one week. However, due to technical problems faced by the Boeing Starliner, their return has been delayed quite a few times.&nbsp;

The Boeing Starliner has encountered several problems, like small helium leaks and faulty thrusters, which have raised safety concerns. “All this information is going to go in a big bucket, and all the engineers are going to review it and try to see if it doesn’t point to root cause or point to some additional testing that we can do in the future to eliminate this problem once and for all,” Mark Nappi, vice-president of and program manager of Boeing's commercial crew program told the media. He believes that these hurdles will help make the Boeing Starliner more efficient.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/when-will-sunita-williams-return-home-from-space-indian-origin-astronaut-speaks-from-space-739714">When will Sunita Williams return home? Indian-origin astronaut speaks from space</a>

NASA revealed on Wednesday (Jul 10)&nbsp;that they were still running tests to ensure smooth performance of the space capsule. NASA is confident that the Boeing Starliner is equipped with emergency evacuation provisions for the astronauts if needed.&nbsp;

<h2>Sunita Williams speaks to the media, says she is optimistic about her return to Earth&nbsp;</h2>

Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore held a press conference on July 10 from the International Space Station (ISS). "I feel confident that, if we had to, if there was a problem with the International Space Station, we would get in (the Starliner spacecraft) and we could undock, talk to our team, and figure out the best way to come home," Sunita Williams told the CNN. "I have a real good feeling in my heart that the spacecraft will bring us home, no problem," Williams added.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;Starliner astronauts 'confident' on return trip, Sunita Williams &amp; Billy Wilmore address press

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Both Williams and Wilmore are optimistic about their return to Earth and said that they trust the team working towards bringing them back. They are confident that the technical skillset of the people working at NASA will bring them back safely. Wilmore said that he and Williams were enjoying the "extra" time in space and were unperturbed by the issues.&nbsp;

<h2>Boeing under scrutiny after Starliner faces technical problems&nbsp;</h2>

Earlier this year, Boeing was accused of a flawed manufacturing process for its 787 Dreamliner planes. With Boeing's Starliner also facing several technical problems, the company is under scrutiny.&nbsp;

Boeing's Starliner was designed to carry seven passengers for low-Earth orbit missions. The space capsule is designed to be reused 10 times with a six-month turnaround.&nbsp;

With the return of the astronauts at the ISS being delayed due to technical issues, Boeing is struggling to keep their image intact. There are doubts about the company's safety record and whether it maintains quality standards.&nbsp;

 
(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Two astronauts from NASA, Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams, may be stuck in Boeing's Starliner till mid-August due to technical problems. Both astronauts boarded the International Space Station (ISS) on June 5.

Two astronauts from NASA, Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams, may be stuck in Boeing's Starliner till mid-August due to technical problems. Both astronauts boarded the International Space Station (ISS) on June 5. The test mission was initially planned for one week. However, due to technical problems faced by the Boeing Starliner, their return has been delayed quite a few times. The Boeing Starliner has encountered several problems, like small helium leaks and faulty thrusters, which have raised safety concerns. “All this information is going to go in a big bucket, and all the engineers are going to review it and try to see if it doesn’t point to root cause or point to some additional testing that we can do in the future to eliminate this problem once and for all,” Mark Nappi, vice-president of and program manager of Boeing's commercial crew program told the media. He believes that these hurdles will help make the Boeing Starliner more efficient. Also read | When will Sunita Williams return home? Indian-origin astronaut speaks from space NASA revealed on Wednesday (Jul 10) that they were still running tests to ensure smooth performance of the space capsule. NASA is confident that the Boeing Starliner is equipped with emergency evacuation provisions for the astronauts if needed. Sunita Williams speaks to the media, says she is optimistic about her return to Earth Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore held a press conference on July 10 from the International Space Station (ISS). "I feel confident that, if we had to, if there was a problem with the International Space Station, we would get in (the Starliner spacecraft) and we could undock, talk to our team, and figure out the best way to come home," Sunita Williams told the CNN. "I have a real good feeling in my heart that the spacecraft will bring us home, no problem," Williams added. Watch | Starliner astronauts 'confident' on return trip, Sunita Williams & Billy Wilmore address press Both Williams and Wilmore are optimistic about their return to Earth and said that they trust the team working towards bringing them back. They are confident that the technical skillset of the people working at NASA will bring them back safely. Wilmore said that he and Williams were enjoying the "extra" time in space and were unperturbed by the issues. Boeing under scrutiny after Starliner faces technical problems Earlier this year, Boeing was accused of a flawed manufacturing process for its 787 Dreamliner planes. With Boeing's Starliner also facing several technical problems, the company is under scrutiny. Boeing's Starliner was designed to carry seven passengers for low-Earth orbit missions. The space capsule is designed to be reused 10 times with a six-month turnaround. With the return of the astronauts at the ISS being delayed due to technical issues, Boeing is struggling to keep their image intact. There are doubts about the company's safety record and whether it maintains quality standards. (With inputs from agencies)

Sunita Williams, Butch Wilmore may be stuck in space this summer due to technical problems in Boeing capsule

After multiple delays in its journey from Earth to the International Space Station (ISS), now, the Boeing Starliner's return journey&nbsp;to our planet has been jinxed.

NASA and Boeing have announced a delay in the return of the CST-100 Starliner spacecraft on which NASA astronauts Barry "Butch" Wilmore and Sunita "Suni" Williams travelled to the ISS.

<h2>When will NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore come home?</h2>

As per Reuters, the return spaceflight has been pushed back to June 18.&nbsp;

Originally, Starliner was expected to undock from the ISS on Friday (June 14) and return to Earth after launching its inaugural crew of two NASA astronauts from Florida on June 5.&nbsp;

The delay comes as mission analysts examine issues that could potentially affect the spacecraft's return.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/boeing-starliner-suffered-helium-leaks-before-historic-space-station-docking-729538">Boeing Starliner suffered helium leaks before historic space station docking</a>

Several factors are being considered in scheduling Starliner's return, including fixes to faulty components on the spacecraft, weather conditions, and ISS scheduling matters such as spacewalks by other astronauts aboard the station. More changes to Starliner's return date could be announced during its mission.

As of Tuesday, mission officials were targeting June 18 for Starliner's undocking from the station.&nbsp;

<h2>Where will it land?</h2>

The spacecraft would land in the desert of White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico, Willcox Playa in Arizona, or other similar pre-determined locations roughly six hours after undocking, pending weather conditions.

NASA's deputy programme manager for the ISS, Dina Contella, told reporters on Tuesday (June 11) that a new issue has cropped up on Starliner while it remained docked to the station - a "sticky" oxidizer valve.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/russian-cosmonaut-makes-world-history-by-spending-1000-days-in-space-729098">Russian Cosmonaut makes world history by spending 1,000 days in space</a>

Furthermore, an additional helium leak on Starliner's propulsion system was mentioned in a NASA blog on Monday, on top of four already identified during its journey to the space station last week.

Despite these challenges, NASA and Boeing were able to regain four of the five manoeuvring thrusters that went dead during the flight to the ISS before docking to the orbital laboratory.&nbsp;

Starliner can stay docked to the ISS for a maximum of 45 days, according to NASA officials. This mission is a crucial test before NASA can certify Starliner for routine flights.

(With inputs from agencies)

After multiple delays in its journey from Earth to the International Space Station (ISS), now, the Boeing Starliner's return journey to our planet has been jinxed.

After multiple delays in its journey from Earth to the International Space Station (ISS), now, the Boeing Starliner's return journey to our planet has been jinxed. NASA and Boeing have announced a delay in the return of the CST-100 Starliner spacecraft on which NASA astronauts Barry "Butch" Wilmore and Sunita "Suni" Williams travelled to the ISS. When will NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore come home? As per Reuters, the return spaceflight has been pushed back to June 18. Originally, Starliner was expected to undock from the ISS on Friday (June 14) and return to Earth after launching its inaugural crew of two NASA astronauts from Florida on June 5. The delay comes as mission analysts examine issues that could potentially affect the spacecraft's return. Also read | Boeing Starliner suffered helium leaks before historic space station docking Several factors are being considered in scheduling Starliner's return, including fixes to faulty components on the spacecraft, weather conditions, and ISS scheduling matters such as spacewalks by other astronauts aboard the station. More changes to Starliner's return date could be announced during its mission. As of Tuesday, mission officials were targeting June 18 for Starliner's undocking from the station. Where will it land? The spacecraft would land in the desert of White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico, Willcox Playa in Arizona, or other similar pre-determined locations roughly six hours after undocking, pending weather conditions. NASA's deputy programme manager for the ISS, Dina Contella, told reporters on Tuesday (June 11) that a new issue has cropped up on Starliner while it remained docked to the station - a "sticky" oxidizer valve. Also read | Russian Cosmonaut makes world history by spending 1,000 days in space Furthermore, an additional helium leak on Starliner's propulsion system was mentioned in a NASA blog on Monday, on top of four already identified during its journey to the space station last week. Despite these challenges, NASA and Boeing were able to regain four of the five manoeuvring thrusters that went dead during the flight to the ISS before docking to the orbital laboratory. Starliner can stay docked to the ISS for a maximum of 45 days, according to NASA officials. This mission is a crucial test before NASA can certify Starliner for routine flights. (With inputs from agencies)

Boeing jinx?: Starliner spacecraft carrying Sunita Williams won't return to Earth till June 18

NASA's Indian-origin astronaut Sunita Williams along with the eight other crew members has landed in a new trouble on board the International Space Station (ISS).

NASA's Indian-origin astronaut Sunita Williams along with the eight other crew members has landed in a new trouble on board the International Space Station (ISS). A superbug has been detected inside the city in the International Space Station which is likely to become a problem for those currently inhabiting the orbiting station. A multi-drug resistant bacteria called 'Enterobacter bugandensis' has been found by scientists which has evolved and turned more potent in the ISS' closed environment. Also Read: Indian-origin astronaut Sunita Williams dances sprightly on arriving at Int’l Space Station Because it is multi-drug resistant, the bacteria is often called a "superbug". How can a 'superbug' trouble astronauts? The 'superbug' bacteria can prove troublesome for the astronauts as it can affect their respiratory system. Spacebugs are not extra-terrestrial life. These bugs travel like hidden co-passengers when the astronauts go to the ISS. The superbug was discovered by scientists in samples isolated from the International Space Station. In the study, they found 13 strains of the bacterium Enterobacter bugandensis, which is said to be multidrug resistant. “In a new scientific paper funded by an Ames Space Biology grant, Principal Investigator Dr Kasthuri Venkateswaran of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory strains of Enterobacter bugandensis isolated from the International Space Station (ISS) were studied. Thirteen strains of E bugandensis, a bacterium notorious for being multi-drug resistant, were isolated from the ISS,” stated NASA in a report. NASA cited Senior Research Scientist at JPL Dr Kasthuri Venkateswaran in its report as saying, "Our research uncovers how certain benign microorganisms help to adapt and survive opportunistic human pathogen, E. bugandensis, in the unfavourable conditions of the International Space Station." Watch: Indian-origin astronaut Sunita Williams set for third space mission "The knowledge gained from this study would shed light on microbial behaviour, adaptation, and evolution in extreme, isolated environments that allow in designing novel countermeasure strategies to eradicate opportunistic pathogens, thus protecting the health of astronauts," he added. Williams along with her colleague Astronaut Barry Eugene "Butch" Wilmore boarded the new Boeing Starliner spacecraft on June 6 and is set to spend nearly a week in the low Earth orbiting laboratory before coming back to Earth. (With inputs from agencies)

'Spacebug' found lurking on ISS. Here's how it endangers Sunita Williams and crew

Indian-origin astronaut Sunita Williams danced with euphoria as the Boeing Starliner, carrying her and crewmate Butch Wilmore, docked successfully with the International Space Station (ISS) on Thursday (June 6), about 26 hours after launching from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.

Williams, 59, has become the first woman to pilot and test a new crewed spacecraft on its maiden mission.

Williams, who has previously carried an idol of Lord Ganesh, the Bhagavad Gita as well as iconic Indian snacks like samosas to space, is back on the orbiting platform for the third time and called the visit "like going back home."&nbsp;

To celebrate her arrival at the space station, she performed a peppy ephemeral dance and warmly hugged the seven other astronauts aboard the ISS.

"That's the way to get things going," Sunita Williams said while speaking about her "dance party".

Williams and Wilmore, who were the first crew to fly the Starliner, were welcomed by the ringing of a bell, which is an old ISS tradition. Calling her crewmembers "another family", she thanked them for "such a great welcome".

Both the astronauts will spend about a week in space during which they will assist with various tests and conduct scientific experiments.

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That feeling when you're back on the station! 🕺 
<a href="https://twitter.com/NASA_Astronauts?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NASA_Astronauts</a> Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams are greeted by the <a href="https://twitter.com/Space_Station?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Space_Station</a> crew after <a href="https://twitter.com/BoeingSpace?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BoeingSpace</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Starliner?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Starliner</a>'s first crewed journey from Earth. <a href="https://t.co/fewKjIi8u0">pic.twitter.com/fewKjIi8u0</a>
— NASA (@NASA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NASA/status/1798807848949874767?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 6, 2024</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

<h2>The Starliner Crewed Flight Test</h2>

On the way to the ISS, the crew completed a series of tests including manually flying the Starliner for the first time in space as part of the Boeing Crew Flight Test (CFT).&nbsp;

The two NASA astronauts monitored the spacecraft as it autonomously conducted a series of manoeuvre to steadily bring the spacecraft closer to the orbiting laboratory before docking.

However, docking was delayed for about an hour due to technical glitches like minor helium leaks. On their return home on the Starliner, they are scheduled to make a landing on land and not in the sea.

NASA has always wanted an alternative to the SpaceX Crew Module to ferry astronauts, and the Boeing Starliner is shaping into just that as part of the commercial crew program.

(With inputs from agencies)

Indian-origin astronaut Sunita Williams danced with euphoria as the Boeing Starliner, carrying her and crewmate Butch Wilmore, docked successfully with the International Space Station (ISS) on Thursday (June 6), about 26 hours after launching from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.

Indian-origin astronaut Sunita Williams danced with euphoria as the Boeing Starliner, carrying her and crewmate Butch Wilmore, docked successfully with the International Space Station (ISS) on Thursday (June 6), about 26 hours after launching from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. Williams, 59, has become the first woman to pilot and test a new crewed spacecraft on its maiden mission. Williams, who has previously carried an idol of Lord Ganesh, the Bhagavad Gita as well as iconic Indian snacks like samosas to space, is back on the orbiting platform for the third time and called the visit "like going back home." To celebrate her arrival at the space station, she performed a peppy ephemeral dance and warmly hugged the seven other astronauts aboard the ISS. "That's the way to get things going," Sunita Williams said while speaking about her "dance party". Williams and Wilmore, who were the first crew to fly the Starliner, were welcomed by the ringing of a bell, which is an old ISS tradition. Calling her crewmembers "another family", she thanked them for "such a great welcome". Both the astronauts will spend about a week in space during which they will assist with various tests and conduct scientific experiments. That feeling when you're back on the station! 🕺 @NASA_Astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams are greeted by the @Space_Station crew after @BoeingSpace #Starliner's first crewed journey from Earth. pic.twitter.com/fewKjIi8u0 — NASA (@NASA) June 6, 2024 × The Starliner Crewed Flight Test On the way to the ISS, the crew completed a series of tests including manually flying the Starliner for the first time in space as part of the Boeing Crew Flight Test (CFT). The two NASA astronauts monitored the spacecraft as it autonomously conducted a series of manoeuvre to steadily bring the spacecraft closer to the orbiting laboratory before docking. However, docking was delayed for about an hour due to technical glitches like minor helium leaks. On their return home on the Starliner, they are scheduled to make a landing on land and not in the sea. NASA has always wanted an alternative to the SpaceX Crew Module to ferry astronauts, and the Boeing Starliner is shaping into just that as part of the commercial crew program. (With inputs from agencies)

Watch: Indian-origin astronaut Sunita Williams dances sprightly on arriving at Int’l Space Station

Sunita Williams, the Indian-American NASA astronaut, has once again taken her rich cultural heritage into the cosmos aboard the Boeing Starliner.&nbsp;

Williams, along with fellow astronaut Barry "Butch" Wilmore,&nbsp;embarked on her third space journey on Wednesday (June 5) morning.

She went to the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the Boeing Starliner capsule's inaugural crewed mission.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/boeing-starliner-suffered-helium-leaks-before-historic-space-station-docking-729538">Boeing Starliner suffered helium leaks before historic space station docking</a>

<h2>Sunita Williams and her Indian roots</h2>

As per reports, Williams is known for integrating her Indian roots with her space endeavours.

The 58-year-old astronaut&nbsp;has often shared how she carries elements of her culture into orbit.&nbsp;In previous missions, she had brought sacred Hindu texts such as the Upanishads and the Bhagavad Gita, as well as iconic Indian snacks like samosas.&nbsp;

"I really appreciate my Indian heritage and was glad I could bring part of it with me to space," Williams said during a 2013 news conference in Delhi.

She also carries a figurine of Ganesh, the elephant-headed Hindu god, with her.

"Ganesh has always been in my house. Everywhere I’ve lived, I’ve had Ganesh, and so he had to come with me to space, of course. And Indian food — you can never get enough of Indian food … so I had to make sure I had some samosas in space with me. Other types of Indian food we definitely had up there as well."

Sunita Williams, whose mother is a Slovene-American, has also taken the Slovenian flag, and Carniolan sausage to space in celebration of her Slovenian heritage.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/russian-cosmonaut-makes-world-history-by-spending-1000-days-in-space-729098">Russian Cosmonaut makes world history by spending 1,000 days in space</a>

In addition to her cultural tributes, Williams has also actively participated in Indian festivities from space. During her time on Expedition 32/33 in 2012, she sent greetings during Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, adding a special touch from the space station.

<h2>Sunita Williams dances in space</h2>

The spaceship dubbed "Calypso" rendezvoused with the orbital lab at 1:34 pm ET (1734 GMT) over the southern Indian Ocean, allowing Wilmore and Williams to enter a while later.&nbsp;

A video of Williams performing a little dance to celebrate the arrival, her third stay aboard the ISS, is going viral. Watch it here:

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NASA Astronaut Sunita Williams dances on reaching the International Space Station! This is <a href="https://twitter.com/BoeingSpace?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BoeingSpace</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Starliner?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Starliner</a>'s first crewed journey from Earth. <a href="https://t.co/YFDKLrVi97">pic.twitter.com/YFDKLrVi97</a>
— Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) <a href="https://twitter.com/AdityaRajKaul/status/1798825054261920152?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 6, 2024</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

Sunita Williams, the Indian-American NASA astronaut, has once again taken her rich cultural heritage into the cosmos aboard the Boeing Starliner. Williams, along with fellow astronaut Barry "Butch" Wilmore, embarked on her third space journey on Wednesday (June 5) morning.

Sunita Williams, the Indian-American NASA astronaut, has once again taken her rich cultural heritage into the cosmos aboard the Boeing Starliner. Williams, along with fellow astronaut Barry "Butch" Wilmore, embarked on her third space journey on Wednesday (June 5) morning. She went to the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the Boeing Starliner capsule's inaugural crewed mission. Also read | Boeing Starliner suffered helium leaks before historic space station docking Sunita Williams and her Indian roots As per reports, Williams is known for integrating her Indian roots with her space endeavours. The 58-year-old astronaut has often shared how she carries elements of her culture into orbit. In previous missions, she had brought sacred Hindu texts such as the Upanishads and the Bhagavad Gita, as well as iconic Indian snacks like samosas. "I really appreciate my Indian heritage and was glad I could bring part of it with me to space," Williams said during a 2013 news conference in Delhi. She also carries a figurine of Ganesh, the elephant-headed Hindu god, with her. "Ganesh has always been in my house. Everywhere I’ve lived, I’ve had Ganesh, and so he had to come with me to space, of course. And Indian food — you can never get enough of Indian food … so I had to make sure I had some samosas in space with me. Other types of Indian food we definitely had up there as well." Sunita Williams, whose mother is a Slovene-American, has also taken the Slovenian flag, and Carniolan sausage to space in celebration of her Slovenian heritage. Also read | Russian Cosmonaut makes world history by spending 1,000 days in space In addition to her cultural tributes, Williams has also actively participated in Indian festivities from space. During her time on Expedition 32/33 in 2012, she sent greetings during Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, adding a special touch from the space station. Sunita Williams dances in space The spaceship dubbed "Calypso" rendezvoused with the orbital lab at 1:34 pm ET (1734 GMT) over the southern Indian Ocean, allowing Wilmore and Williams to enter a while later. A video of Williams performing a little dance to celebrate the arrival, her third stay aboard the ISS, is going viral. Watch it here: NASA Astronaut Sunita Williams dances on reaching the International Space Station! This is @BoeingSpace #Starliner's first crewed journey from Earth. pic.twitter.com/YFDKLrVi97 — Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) June 6, 2024 ×

NASA astronaut Sunita Williams carries samosas, pieces of Indian heritage to space

Boeing's Starliner spacecraft finally&nbsp;lifted off Wednesday (Jun 5)&nbsp;on its maiden human flight to space after having suffered multiple delays, two scrubs and several glitches.

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Liftoff! Go <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AtlasV?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AtlasV</a>! Go Centaur! Go <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Starliner?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Starliner</a>! 
 
Godspeed, Butch Wilmore and <a href="https://twitter.com/Astro_Suni?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Astro_Suni</a>! <a href="https://t.co/kTA8fjcLP7">pic.twitter.com/kTA8fjcLP7</a>
— Boeing Space (@BoeingSpace) <a href="https://twitter.com/BoeingSpace/status/1798367584628207823?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 5, 2024</a></blockquote>
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Indian-origin astronaut Sunita Williams flew alongside NASA&nbsp;astronaut Butch Willmore&nbsp;on her third mission , who is the commander of the Crew Flight Test mission of the spacecraft.

The previous launch of the spacecraft was scheduled for June 1 but it was scrubbed after a last-minute glitch. An automatic hold triggered by the ground launch sequencer, or the computer that launches the rocket, stopped the countdown clock at 3 minutes and 50 seconds ahead of launch.

Before that, the mission was supposed to lift off on May 6 but it was also delayed with two hours left in the countdown.

<h2>Significance of the flight</h2>

If the mission remains successful, NASA can then rely on Boeing services for carrying out routine trips to the orbiting outpost. As of now, NASA's options are limited as it has just two service providers: SpaceX’s Crew Dragon capsule and Russian Soyuz spacecraft.

The two veteran astronauts are well-prepared to deal with any kind of emergency situations. They will take control of the autonomous Starliner spacecraft if&nbsp;something goes wrong.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/last-minute-snag-halts-boeing-starliners-launch-nasa-estimates-24-hour-turnaround-time-727870">Last-minute snag halts launch of Boeing’s Starliner, NASA estimates 24-hour turnaround time</a>

"They're checking out a lot of the systems: the life support, the manual control," NASA chief Bill Nelson said during a May 3 news conference. "That's why we put two test pilots on board — and of course the resumes of Butch and Suni are extensive."

The two astronauts are expected to spend eight days inside the orbiting laboratory, joining the seven astronauts and cosmonauts already on board.

<h2>The spacecraft is having a helium leak</h2>

NASA said a helium leak was detected on the spacecraft recently but it did not pose any threat to the mission.

“We looked really hard at what our options were with this particular flange (the part where the leak is located),” Steve Stich, program manager for NASA’s Commercial Crew Program. said. “A fuel line, an oxidizer line and a helium line all go into the flange, which makes it problematic to work on. It makes it almost unsafe to work on,” he added.

Boeing's Starliner spacecraft finally lifted off Wednesday (Jun 5) on its maiden human flight to space after having suffered multiple delays, two scrubs and several glitches.

Boeing's Starliner spacecraft finally lifted off Wednesday (Jun 5) on its maiden human flight to space after having suffered multiple delays, two scrubs and several glitches. Liftoff! Go #AtlasV! Go Centaur! Go #Starliner! Godspeed, Butch Wilmore and @Astro_Suni! pic.twitter.com/kTA8fjcLP7 — Boeing Space (@BoeingSpace) June 5, 2024 × Indian-origin astronaut Sunita Williams flew alongside NASA astronaut Butch Willmore on her third mission , who is the commander of the Crew Flight Test mission of the spacecraft. The previous launch of the spacecraft was scheduled for June 1 but it was scrubbed after a last-minute glitch. An automatic hold triggered by the ground launch sequencer, or the computer that launches the rocket, stopped the countdown clock at 3 minutes and 50 seconds ahead of launch. Before that, the mission was supposed to lift off on May 6 but it was also delayed with two hours left in the countdown. Significance of the flight If the mission remains successful, NASA can then rely on Boeing services for carrying out routine trips to the orbiting outpost. As of now, NASA's options are limited as it has just two service providers: SpaceX’s Crew Dragon capsule and Russian Soyuz spacecraft. The two veteran astronauts are well-prepared to deal with any kind of emergency situations. They will take control of the autonomous Starliner spacecraft if something goes wrong. Also read: Last-minute snag halts launch of Boeing’s Starliner, NASA estimates 24-hour turnaround time "They're checking out a lot of the systems: the life support, the manual control," NASA chief Bill Nelson said during a May 3 news conference. "That's why we put two test pilots on board — and of course the resumes of Butch and Suni are extensive." The two astronauts are expected to spend eight days inside the orbiting laboratory, joining the seven astronauts and cosmonauts already on board. The spacecraft is having a helium leak NASA said a helium leak was detected on the spacecraft recently but it did not pose any threat to the mission. “We looked really hard at what our options were with this particular flange (the part where the leak is located),” Steve Stich, program manager for NASA’s Commercial Crew Program. said. “A fuel line, an oxidizer line and a helium line all go into the flange, which makes it problematic to work on. It makes it almost unsafe to work on,” he added.

Starliner lifts off! Spacecraft with Sunita Williams on board flies to space after multiple delays. Watch

Boeing’s eagerly anticipated maiden crewed launch of the Starliner spacecraft has faced yet another setback.&nbsp;US space agency NASA on Thursday (May 22) announced that the mission, piloted by Indian-origin Sunita Williams to the International Space Station (ISS) and originally slated for May 7, is now rescheduled for June.

The teams are presently working towards a launch opportunity at 12:25 p.m. ET on Saturday, June 1, with additional opportunities on June 2, June 5, and June 6.

A helium leak on the Starliner's service module had impeded the spacecraft's first mission to space carrying humans and pushed back the launch with successive delays.

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The postponement was necessary to allow engineering teams to assess and address the helium leak, which was specifically traced to a flange on a single reaction control system thruster.

NASA in a statement said that mission managers from NASA, Boeing, and ULA (United Launch Alliance) continue to evaluate a path forward towards launching the Boeing Crew Flight Test (CFT) to the International Space Station (ISS).

The Crewed Flight Test will see NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore embarking on their journey to space aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft.

It will be the third space mission for Indian-origin astronaut Sunita Williams, having 50 hours and 40 minutes of total cumulative spacewalk time, considered the second highest among female astronauts.

<h2>Significance of the Crewed Flight Test (CFT)</h2>

Following the retirement of NASA’s space shuttle programme, the agency enlisted the services of two private companies in September 2014, SpaceX and Boeing, to develop spacecraft for crewed missions to the ISS.

These integrated spacecraft, rockets and associated systems will carry up to four astronauts on NASA missions, maintaining a space station crew of seven to maximise time dedicated to scientific research in the orbiting laboratory.

Boeing's Starliner spacecraft mission is part of NASA's Commercial Crew Program, which is working with the US aerospace industry through a public-private partnership to launch astronauts on American rockets and spacecraft from US soil.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/singapore-airlines-horror-what-is-clear-air-turbulence-and-how-climate-change-is-making-it-worse-724212">Singapore Airlines horror: What is clear air turbulence and how is climate change making it worse?</a>

Boeing’s Crew Test Flight holds particular significance, as it is the final test flight before the US space agency can certify the Starliner as reliable for routine missions to and from the ISS.

The Starliner spacecraft will be catapulted into space on an Atlas 5 rocket of the rocket company United Launch Alliance from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.

NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore will remain docked at the orbiting laboratory for about two weeks to evaluate the new spacecraft and its systems before returning to Earth in the Western United States.

<h2>‘Houston, we have a problem’: Recurrent delays thwart the launch</h2>

Mission managers of the Boeing Starliner's CFT called off the mission on May 7, just two hours before the scheduled launch due to a valve glitch in the Atlas 5 rocket's upper stage. Boeing said in its statement that the valve was successfully replaced on May 11 and tested to confirm it was working properly.

Later on May 14, NASA announced that the CFT mission scheduled for May 17 had been pushed to no later than May 21 due to what it described as a "small helium leak" in the spacecraft's service module.

On May 17, however, the space agency said that the launch was further pushed back to May 25.

The current delay to June marks the fourth postponement of the mission.

"There has been a great deal of exceptional analysis and testing over the last two weeks by the joint NASA, Boeing, and ULA teams to replace the Centaur Self Regulating Valve and troubleshoot the Starliner Service Module helium manifold leak," said Steve Stich, manager of the NASA Commercial Crew Program.

"It has been important that we take our time to understand all the complexities of each issue including the redundant capabilities of the Starliner propulsion system and any implications to our Interim Human Rating Certification, he said in a statement issued by the US space agency.

"We will launch Butch and Suni on this test mission after the entire community has reviewed the teams' progress and flight rationale at the upcoming Delta Agency Flight Test Readiness Review," he said.

Both Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore continue practising in Starliner simulators and the crew that remains quarantined will fly back to NASA's Kennedy Space Centre in Florida closer to the new launch date, the space agency said.

<h2>Boeing’s credibility under question</h2>

Boeing has encountered numerous delays and budget overruns in the Starliner programme. Despite its ambitious goals, the programme has struggled to meet its deadlines and remains over budget by approximately $1.5 billion.

The aviation company has also been under scrutiny following two fatal crashes of their 737 MAX jets in 2018 and 2019. These accidents raised questions about the plane’s safety and led to a grounding of the model worldwide.

In the last few months, more than a dozen near-miss incidents were reported in Boeing aircraft as well. 
More recently, the deaths of two whistleblowers, John Barnett and Joshua Dean, who raised concerns about Boeing’s manufacturing practices, have added another layer of complexity to the situation.

(With inputs from agencies)

Boeing’s eagerly anticipated maiden crewed launch of the Starliner spacecraft has faced yet another setback. US space agency NASA on Thursday (May 22) announced that the mission, piloted by Indian-origin Sunita Williams to the International Space Station (ISS) and originally slated for May 7, is now rescheduled for June.

Boeing’s eagerly anticipated maiden crewed launch of the Starliner spacecraft has faced yet another setback. US space agency NASA on Thursday (May 22) announced that the mission, piloted by Indian-origin Sunita Williams to the International Space Station (ISS) and originally slated for May 7, is now rescheduled for June. The teams are presently working towards a launch opportunity at 12:25 p.m. ET on Saturday, June 1, with additional opportunities on June 2, June 5, and June 6. A helium leak on the Starliner's service module had impeded the spacecraft's first mission to space carrying humans and pushed back the launch with successive delays. Also read | ‘Beam me up’: Mysterious pillars of light in Japan’s night sky spark alien frenzy. UFO kidnapping humans? The postponement was necessary to allow engineering teams to assess and address the helium leak, which was specifically traced to a flange on a single reaction control system thruster. NASA in a statement said that mission managers from NASA, Boeing, and ULA (United Launch Alliance) continue to evaluate a path forward towards launching the Boeing Crew Flight Test (CFT) to the International Space Station (ISS). The Crewed Flight Test will see NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore embarking on their journey to space aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft. It will be the third space mission for Indian-origin astronaut Sunita Williams, having 50 hours and 40 minutes of total cumulative spacewalk time, considered the second highest among female astronauts. Significance of the Crewed Flight Test (CFT) Following the retirement of NASA’s space shuttle programme, the agency enlisted the services of two private companies in September 2014, SpaceX and Boeing, to develop spacecraft for crewed missions to the ISS. These integrated spacecraft, rockets and associated systems will carry up to four astronauts on NASA missions, maintaining a space station crew of seven to maximise time dedicated to scientific research in the orbiting laboratory. Boeing's Starliner spacecraft mission is part of NASA's Commercial Crew Program, which is working with the US aerospace industry through a public-private partnership to launch astronauts on American rockets and spacecraft from US soil. Also read | Singapore Airlines horror: What is clear air turbulence and how is climate change making it worse? Boeing’s Crew Test Flight holds particular significance, as it is the final test flight before the US space agency can certify the Starliner as reliable for routine missions to and from the ISS. The Starliner spacecraft will be catapulted into space on an Atlas 5 rocket of the rocket company United Launch Alliance from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore will remain docked at the orbiting laboratory for about two weeks to evaluate the new spacecraft and its systems before returning to Earth in the Western United States. ‘Houston, we have a problem’: Recurrent delays thwart the launch Mission managers of the Boeing Starliner's CFT called off the mission on May 7, just two hours before the scheduled launch due to a valve glitch in the Atlas 5 rocket's upper stage. Boeing said in its statement that the valve was successfully replaced on May 11 and tested to confirm it was working properly. Later on May 14, NASA announced that the CFT mission scheduled for May 17 had been pushed to no later than May 21 due to what it described as a "small helium leak" in the spacecraft's service module. On May 17, however, the space agency said that the launch was further pushed back to May 25. The current delay to June marks the fourth postponement of the mission. "There has been a great deal of exceptional analysis and testing over the last two weeks by the joint NASA, Boeing, and ULA teams to replace the Centaur Self Regulating Valve and troubleshoot the Starliner Service Module helium manifold leak," said Steve Stich, manager of the NASA Commercial Crew Program. "It has been important that we take our time to understand all the complexities of each issue including the redundant capabilities of the Starliner propulsion system and any implications to our Interim Human Rating Certification, he said in a statement issued by the US space agency. "We will launch Butch and Suni on this test mission after the entire community has reviewed the teams' progress and flight rationale at the upcoming Delta Agency Flight Test Readiness Review," he said. Both Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore continue practising in Starliner simulators and the crew that remains quarantined will fly back to NASA's Kennedy Space Centre in Florida closer to the new launch date, the space agency said. Boeing’s credibility under question Boeing has encountered numerous delays and budget overruns in the Starliner programme. Despite its ambitious goals, the programme has struggled to meet its deadlines and remains over budget by approximately $1.5 billion. The aviation company has also been under scrutiny following two fatal crashes of their 737 MAX jets in 2018 and 2019. These accidents raised questions about the plane’s safety and led to a grounding of the model worldwide. In the last few months, more than a dozen near-miss incidents were reported in Boeing aircraft as well. More recently, the deaths of two whistleblowers, John Barnett and Joshua Dean, who raised concerns about Boeing’s manufacturing practices, have added another layer of complexity to the situation. (With inputs from agencies)

Boeing Starliner’s debut crew launch postponed again, Sunita Williams’ 3rd space mission deferred to June

Indian-origin astronaut Sunita Williams is all set for her third space mission.She will embark on her third space mission with NASA’s Boeing Crew Flight Test to the International Space Station. The mission is scheduled for liftoff on May 6.

Indian-origin astronaut Sunita Williams set for third space mission

Following years of delays and numerous setbacks during test flights, Boeing's Starliner spacecraft is finally set to make its inaugural crew launch.

NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, two of NASA's most seasoned astronauts, will be the pilots of the Crew Flight Test mission aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft.

The two veteran astronauts will travel to and from the International Space Station, marking what could be a historic and long-awaited victory for the beleaguered Starliner programme.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/spiders-on-mars-esas-mars-express-captures-unique-phenomenon-on-the-red-planet-714917">Spiders on Mars? European mission captures weird black spots near Inca City</a>

“We love the Kennedy Space Center because this is where you launch humans into space," Butch Wilmore told reporters and added, "In less than two weeks, the next flight we take we'll be laying on our backs and (launching) into the heavens."

"This is where the rubber meets the road, where we are going to leave this planet, and that is pretty darn cool,” said Sunita Williams.

Notably, Sunita Williams is going to the International Space Station after 12 years. Williams boasts a seasoned career with two previous space missions under her belt — Expeditions 14/15 and 32/33.

On Thursday (Apr 25), NASA and Boeing gave the go-ahead for a launch attempt within the next two weeks. But officials are stressing flexibility.&nbsp;

“May 6th is the target, but liftoff will only happen when everything is ready,” said Ken Bowersox, associate administrator for NASA’s Space Operations Mission Directorate.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/scientists-say-asteroid-kamooalewa-is-likely-the-second-moon-which-once-belonged-to-our-moon-714140">This asteroid orbits the Sun, left a massive crater on Moon, but without ever hitting it</a>

This successful mission would mark a major milestone. Boeing's Starliner would join SpaceX's Crew Dragon in carrying astronauts to and from the International Space Station, ensuring a reliable flow of crew for the orbiting lab.

“This is history in the making,” NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said of the upcoming Starliner mission during a news conference, “We’re now in the golden era of space exploration.”

Watch:&nbsp;Indian-origin astronaut Sunita Williams set for third space mission

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Astronauts Wilmore and Williams, both ex-Navy test pilots aim to dock at the space station on May 8th. If their mission goes well, they'll return to Earth around May 15th.&nbsp;

A successful mission paves the way for regular Starliner crew rotations starting in 2025, with launches alternating between Boeing's Starliner and SpaceX's Crew Dragon. This would provide NASA with a robust two-company system for ferrying astronauts to the station.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/scientists-say-asteroid-kamooalewa-is-likely-the-second-moon-which-once-belonged-to-our-moon-714140">This asteroid orbits the Sun, left a massive crater on Moon, but without ever hitting it</a>

SpaceX and Boeing developed their individual vehicles under NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, a partnership with private industry contractors.&nbsp;

Since the beginning, NASA's plan was to have both SpaceX and Boeing operational. This means their Crew Dragon and Starliner capsules would act as backups for each other. In case of technical problems or delays with one spacecraft, astronauts could still launch on the other. This two-capsule system provides redundancy and ensures a more reliable path to space for NASA's crews.

NASA at first did not envision that SpaceX’s Crew Dragon would function on its own for nearly four years before Boeing’s Starliner reached its first crewed test flight.

Earlier in 2014, when NASA awarded contracts to SpaceX and Boeing, the space agency initially leaned towards Boeing as it has&nbsp;been a trusted partner since the mid-20th century. However, SpaceX on the other hand, was a young and ambitious company, seen by some at NASA as a bit of a gamble.

(With inputs from agencies)

Following years of delays and numerous setbacks during test flights, Boeing's Starliner spacecraft is finally set to make its inaugural crew launch. NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, two of NASA's most seasoned astronauts, will be the pilots of the Crew Flight Test mission aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft.

Following years of delays and numerous setbacks during test flights, Boeing's Starliner spacecraft is finally set to make its inaugural crew launch. NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, two of NASA's most seasoned astronauts, will be the pilots of the Crew Flight Test mission aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft. The two veteran astronauts will travel to and from the International Space Station, marking what could be a historic and long-awaited victory for the beleaguered Starliner programme. Also read: Spiders on Mars? European mission captures weird black spots near Inca City “We love the Kennedy Space Center because this is where you launch humans into space," Butch Wilmore told reporters and added, "In less than two weeks, the next flight we take we'll be laying on our backs and (launching) into the heavens." "This is where the rubber meets the road, where we are going to leave this planet, and that is pretty darn cool,” said Sunita Williams. Notably, Sunita Williams is going to the International Space Station after 12 years. Williams boasts a seasoned career with two previous space missions under her belt — Expeditions 14/15 and 32/33. On Thursday (Apr 25), NASA and Boeing gave the go-ahead for a launch attempt within the next two weeks. But officials are stressing flexibility. “May 6th is the target, but liftoff will only happen when everything is ready,” said Ken Bowersox, associate administrator for NASA’s Space Operations Mission Directorate. Also read: This asteroid orbits the Sun, left a massive crater on Moon, but without ever hitting it This successful mission would mark a major milestone. Boeing's Starliner would join SpaceX's Crew Dragon in carrying astronauts to and from the International Space Station, ensuring a reliable flow of crew for the orbiting lab. “This is history in the making,” NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said of the upcoming Starliner mission during a news conference, “We’re now in the golden era of space exploration.” Watch: Indian-origin astronaut Sunita Williams set for third space mission × Astronauts Wilmore and Williams, both ex-Navy test pilots aim to dock at the space station on May 8th. If their mission goes well, they'll return to Earth around May 15th. A successful mission paves the way for regular Starliner crew rotations starting in 2025, with launches alternating between Boeing's Starliner and SpaceX's Crew Dragon. This would provide NASA with a robust two-company system for ferrying astronauts to the station. Also read: This asteroid orbits the Sun, left a massive crater on Moon, but without ever hitting it SpaceX and Boeing developed their individual vehicles under NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, a partnership with private industry contractors. Since the beginning, NASA's plan was to have both SpaceX and Boeing operational. This means their Crew Dragon and Starliner capsules would act as backups for each other. In case of technical problems or delays with one spacecraft, astronauts could still launch on the other. This two-capsule system provides redundancy and ensures a more reliable path to space for NASA's crews. NASA at first did not envision that SpaceX’s Crew Dragon would function on its own for nearly four years before Boeing’s Starliner reached its first crewed test flight. Earlier in 2014, when NASA awarded contracts to SpaceX and Boeing, the space agency initially leaned towards Boeing as it has been a trusted partner since the mid-20th century. However, SpaceX on the other hand, was a young and ambitious company, seen by some at NASA as a bit of a gamble. (With inputs from agencies)

Sunita Williams set to pilot Starliner spacecraft for her first trip to ISS in 12 years

Top American Senators, including Republican John Cornyn and Democrat Mark Warner, along with astronaut Sunita Williams on Friday greeted the people of India and the Indian-Americans on the occasion of India’s 75th Independence Day, noting that the relationship between the world’s two biggest democracies is more important now than ever.

“I want to congratulate the people in India on 75 years of Independence. The strength of the relationship between the world's two biggest democracies is more important now than ever,” said Warner, Co-Chair of the powerful Senate India Caucus. This is the largest bilateral caucus in the United States Senate.

For 75 years, he said, India has moved into the future as a strong, resilient democracy.

“We have seen that strength through the challenges of the last 14 months as India, America and the world has been challenged by Covid-19,” Warner said in a special video message.

It was 74 years ago that India emancipated itself from British rule and began a long and storied journey toward becoming the biggest democracy in the world, said Senator Cornyn, Co-Chair of the Senate India Caucus.

As co-founder of the Senate India caucus, Cornyn said he knows firsthand the importance of a strong relationship between the United States and India.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indias-independence-day-from-humble-beginnings-the-nation-made-strides-in-science-and-technology-405129">Also read |&nbsp;India's Independence Day: From humble beginnings, the nation made strides in science and technology</a>

“I'm proud to see how our ties have strengthened over the recent years,” he said.

Joining people of India and Indian-Americans in celebrating the 75th anniversary of India's independence, Senator Rick Scott said that the United States is proud to support India, the world's largest democracy and America’s important partner and to celebrate the many contributions of our Indian American community.

“Congratulations on 75 years of independence. I hope you have a wonderful celebration,” Scott said in a video message.

Senator Robert Menendez, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said that he is proud to join friends in Indian and Indian-American communities in New Jersey and around the world as Independence Day festivities begin.

“We recognise India’s rich heritage and many global contributions, and commit to building on our countries' strong bond,” he said.

Sending her independence day greetings, Sunita Williams mentioned the rich history of collaboration between India and the United States in space.

“NASA and ISRO have cooperated in many different areas, including Earth and space science. Additionally, NASA has provided deep space communication and navigation support for ISRO’s missions to the Moon and Mars,” she said.

“Exploring space is a global enterprise where we all need to work together. I am especially interested in following the progress of Gaganyaan, India's first human spaceflight mission,” Williams said.

Top American Senators, including Republican John Cornyn and Democrat Mark Warner, along with astronaut Sunita Williams on Friday greeted the people of India and the Indian-Americans on the occasion of India’s 75th Independence Day, noting that the relationship between the world’s two biggest democracies is more important now than ever.

Top American Senators, including Republican John Cornyn and Democrat Mark Warner, along with astronaut Sunita Williams on Friday greeted the people of India and the Indian-Americans on the occasion of India’s 75th Independence Day, noting that the relationship between the world’s two biggest democracies is more important now than ever. “I want to congratulate the people in India on 75 years of Independence. The strength of the relationship between the world's two biggest democracies is more important now than ever,” said Warner, Co-Chair of the powerful Senate India Caucus. This is the largest bilateral caucus in the United States Senate. For 75 years, he said, India has moved into the future as a strong, resilient democracy. “We have seen that strength through the challenges of the last 14 months as India, America and the world has been challenged by Covid-19,” Warner said in a special video message. It was 74 years ago that India emancipated itself from British rule and began a long and storied journey toward becoming the biggest democracy in the world, said Senator Cornyn, Co-Chair of the Senate India Caucus. As co-founder of the Senate India caucus, Cornyn said he knows firsthand the importance of a strong relationship between the United States and India. Also read | India's Independence Day: From humble beginnings, the nation made strides in science and technology “I'm proud to see how our ties have strengthened over the recent years,” he said. Joining people of India and Indian-Americans in celebrating the 75th anniversary of India's independence, Senator Rick Scott said that the United States is proud to support India, the world's largest democracy and America’s important partner and to celebrate the many contributions of our Indian American community. “Congratulations on 75 years of independence. I hope you have a wonderful celebration,” Scott said in a video message. Senator Robert Menendez, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said that he is proud to join friends in Indian and Indian-American communities in New Jersey and around the world as Independence Day festivities begin. “We recognise India’s rich heritage and many global contributions, and commit to building on our countries' strong bond,” he said. Sending her independence day greetings, Sunita Williams mentioned the rich history of collaboration between India and the United States in space. “NASA and ISRO have cooperated in many different areas, including Earth and space science. Additionally, NASA has provided deep space communication and navigation support for ISRO’s missions to the Moon and Mars,” she said. “Exploring space is a global enterprise where we all need to work together. I am especially interested in following the progress of Gaganyaan, India's first human spaceflight mission,” Williams said.

American senators, astronaut Sunita Williams greet India on Independence Day

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