Eight days in space suddenly became eight months: ‘Secret dream come true’ | RTL News

It almost sounds like a science fiction movie, but for the American astronauts it is reality. The duo left almost three months ago, so they can prepare for several more months on the International Space Station. A helium leak appeared during the flight. Such a problem also existed before the launch. In addition, there were problems with the spacecraft’s propulsion.

Boeing then tested other Starliner engines to see if the spacecraft could safely return to Earth. Meanwhile, other options are also being explored, but recovering the stranded astronauts in the short term certainly doesn’t seem like an option.

This shouldn’t be too big a problem, believes space expert Joris Melkert from TU Delft. “An extended visit is possible. There is plenty of stock, at least in terms of food,” says Melkert. The most recent demonstration so far took place on August 6. A rocket was launched from Kazakhstan towards the ISS with all sorts of supplies.

“The longer the better”

This was great for the two of them, because they were only going for a week, and they weren’t even allowed to take personal items like clothes.

Melkert also believes the astronauts are mentally at ease. “There’s a lot to do to make themselves useful. They’re professionals and I think deep down they love this, it’s a secret dream. This is probably their last chance to go into space, and now it’s going to be extended. I think they have this thing called the longer the better.”

Both Williams and Wilmore know what it’s like to be away from home for an extended period of time. They’ve both been to space twice and spent more than 500 days in space together, so they’re not completely inexperienced.

Mindy Howard partly agrees with Melkert, though she also says, “It’s great until it’s not great anymore.” Howard is the founder of Inner Space Training, a company that trains space tourists to stay focused and calm during their journey.

Practice all kinds of scenarios.

“Of course, for any professional astronaut, they want to stay in space as long as possible,” Howard says. “And we’re dealing with professionals. NASA has trained them for all sorts of scenarios, too. It doesn’t destroy them mentally or anything.”

“It’s still a lot less bad than training for the average person, because of their training,” Howard continues. “But at some point it will have an impact on your body, one potential problem, for example, is that your vision goes down. All sorts of physical ailments are possible over time, and that varies from person to person. So, yeah, the question is how you’re going to feel and how you’re going to deal with it.”

Last year, American astronaut Frank Rubio, along with two Russian cosmonauts, returned to Earth after 371 days. You can see how he did it in the video below:

Howard also points to the potential for unforeseen circumstances. “You never know what could happen on Earth with your loved ones while you’re in space. And here you are, completely helpless on the ISS. The astronauts are not prepared for that. The only thing NASA offers you on the ISS is that you’re a psychiatrist on Earth, but there’s still some taboo around that.”

too much pressure

According to Howard, few astronauts admit to their “weaknesses.” “There are many other talented astronauts who would love to take your place.”

Partly for this reason, Howard also expects that even if the astronauts are having a hard time, she won’t say so publicly. “They also represent Boeing, so they’re unlikely to say anything negative.”

While things are looking good for Williams and Wilmore, that may not be the case for their work on the International Space Station. The two went on a short-lived test flight. And because they can’t return, fewer astronauts will fly next month on the plane that will return them to Earth in February. While they were coming for specialized work.

“Make no mistake,” Melkert says. “There were all sorts of experiments planned in the program that probably can’t go forward now. They could certainly be useful, but not in the way they were actually intended.” Howard agrees: “They certainly have more time to look at Earth now than they would have had if they were actually on a mission.”

Not safe

At least Williams and Wilmore shouldn’t be alone. There are nine astronauts on the International Space Station, so there will be two more next month.

Meanwhile, the Starliner spacecraft, which carried the astronauts on an outbound flight, will return to Earth. NASA didn’t consider it safe enough to return the craft with a crew, but it dared to do it without a crew. That has to be the case, or there will be no place for SpaceX to dock.