Sunita Williams Dances After Reaching Space Station: VIDEO – Boeing Spacecraft Reaches ISS for the Third Time, Says – ISS Feels Like Another Home for Me
Sunita Williams, the Indian-origin astronaut, delightedly showcased her dance moves upon her third journey to space aboard the Boeing Starliner to the International Space Station (ISS). Her arrival video at the ISS has quickly gone viral, capturing the moment when she gracefully enters the space station to the tune of an hour-long welcome.
This tradition at the ISS entails fellow astronauts ringing a bell to greet any new arrivals, symbolizing the warm reception they receive from their crewmates.
Williams counted all her fellow ISS members as her extended family upon her return. “ISS feels like my second home,” she expressed, extending her gratitude to all fellow astronauts for the splendid welcome.
Technical Glitches Cause Hour-long Delay in Docking, Crew to Engage in Planned Experiments
A technical glitch resembling a minor leak delayed the docking process by nearly an hour, forcing the crew to remain in vacation mode for another week. Upon arrival at the ISS, crew members will conduct scheduled tests, including the first-time manual flying of the Starliner during vacation time.
They are expected to spend almost a week in vacation mode, aiding in various experiments and scientific endeavors. Upon their return to Earth aboard the Starliner, they plan to chart a course for landing on land instead of sea.
Indian-Origin Astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore Dock at ISS 26 Hours After Starliner Launch
Indian-origin astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore successfully arrived at the International Space Station (ISS) on Thursday night at 11:03 PM, nearly 26 hours after launching. Originally scheduled to dock at 9:45 PM, technical issues with the Reaction Control Thruster prevented the initial attempt from being successful. However, their second attempt at docking with the ISS was a success.
Both astronauts are making their first space journey aboard Boeing’s Starliner. The Starliner mission was launched at 8:22 PM on Wednesday, June 5th, according to Indian time, using the Atlas V rocket by ULA from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.
Wilmore and Williams will stay at the ISS for approximately one week to conduct testing on the Starliner and its subsystems. Sunita also contributed to the design of Boeing’s spacecraft, ASUV- Starliner. This mission can accommodate up to 7 crew members. After the construction of the Starliner, Sunita Williams christened it with the name “Eclipse.”
Historic Milestone: NASA to Have Two Commercial Crewed Missions for the First Time
If the mission succeeds, NASA will have two commercial crewed missions for the first time. In the event of success, it will mark the first time in history that American astronauts have been sent to space by American companies.
Currently, SpaceX’s Dragon is the only spacecraft for crewed missions in the United States. In 2014, NASA awarded contracts to SpaceX and Boeing to develop spacecraft. SpaceX has already completed its spacecraft, Dragon, four years ago.
9 Key Points about Starliner’s Journey from Earth to the Space Station and Back
- Launch with Atlas V Rocket: Starliner will be launched atop an Atlas V rocket. Fifteen minutes later, it will release from the rocket.
- Journey to the Space Station: After release, Starliner will begin its approximately 24-hour journey to the space station.
- Docking: Starliner will dock at the Harmony module’s forward port. During this time, the crew will transition inside, hatch closure will occur, and the spacecraft will demonstrate its ability to serve as a “safe haven” in case of emergency situations.
- Stay on the Space Station: Williams and Vilmore will stay on the space station with Expedition 71 crew for about a week. Upon undocking, the crew will conduct a manual piloting assessment of Starliner.
- Return to Earth: Starliner will initiate reentry into Earth’s atmosphere at a speed of approximately 28,000 km/h. During this time, the crew will experience forces up to 3.5 times the force of gravity.
- Parachute Deployment: Starliner will deploy two drogue parachutes and three main parachutes. The base heat shield will jettison to deploy the dual airbag system. Six primary airbags will cushion the capsule’s landing.
- Landing: Starliner will descend at a rate of approximately 6 kilometers per hour. Potential landing sites include the White Sands Space Harbor in New Mexico and Edwards Air Force Base in California.
- Recovery: Recovery teams will establish a tent around Starliner upon landing and provide cool air to the capsule. Within an hour of landing, the astronauts will board medical vehicles for checkups before being transported to Ellington Field in Houston.
- Post-Mission Activities: After landing, NASA will certify Starliner’s operational crew systems for future missions expected to begin in 2025.
