Stranded in Space
Space is an infinite void that humanity has been curious about and has sought to explore for centuries. However, this journey of discovery is not always easy or safe. Throughout history, many astronauts have faced unexpected situations, coming dangerously close to being stranded in the depths of space.
When the mission of Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore aboard the International Space Station (ISS) unexpectedly extended last month, we all witnessed how thrilling yet daunting it can be to become stranded in the depths of space. Historically, as humanity has advanced with a passion for conquering space, such unexpected situations have frequently arisen. From the early human spaceflights to lunar missions and the struggles for survival aboard space stations, this adventure has pushed the boundaries of scientific discovery while also showcasing human resilience and courage. The incident involving Williams and Wilmore serves as a reminder of how unknown and challenging the space environment still is, while also providing important insights into possible scenarios we may encounter in future space missions.
Imagine going on a business trip for eight days and then having to stay there for months. This is exactly what the American astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore are currently facing. Their eight-day mission to the International Space Station (ISS) has now stretched beyond two months, with the likelihood of further extension.
The pair was launched aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft on June 5 for a test flight to the ISS. The plan was to return to the same vehicle after eight days. However, helium leaks and issues with the spacecraft’s thrusters led NASA and Boeing to postpone their return.
Unable to return to Earth on the Starliner, Williams and Wilmore will (hopefully) return with another team of astronauts launched aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft to the ISS in September, on a mission that is set to last until February 2025. As a result, Williams and Wilmore’s time in space may extend up to eight months. This situation has caused headlines and concerns about astronauts being stranded in space. However, while nothing in space flight is routine, this is not the first instance of individuals remaining in space longer than anticipated.
“In situations where a spacecraft is not suitable for return, astronauts being in space longer has happened before,” says Emily A. Margolis, curator of contemporary space flight at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. Given the space-related ambitions of companies and governments worldwide, this may not be the last occurrence of its kind. While each delay may involve different issues or incidents, the fundamental problem remains the same.
“If you are maintaining a continuous human presence in space, how do you keep people safe, and how do you develop a rescue plan in a situation where everything can go wrong?” Margolis asks. She points out that the astronauts will not face any food or clothing shortages since supplies were sent to the ISS on August 4 via an unmanned shuttle. However, she adds that they may find their clothes slightly stinky due to the lack of laundry facilities at the station.
How Will They Survive?
When NASA announced that Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore will return to Earth in February 2025, curiosity arose about how the pair would live aboard the ISS during this unexpected development, what they would eat and drink, and what they would do. However, this does not appear to be as significant a problem for NASA as one might think.
NASA has assured that the astronauts are not in any immediate danger of survival and that the ISS has sufficient resources to support the crew. The agency confirmed that there is already an adequate supply of everything the team needs aboard the station, including food, water, clothing, and oxygen. They also emphasised that regular resupply missions by cargo spacecraft carrying food, fuel, and materials will meet the astronauts’ needs. NASA noted that two spacecraft, one carrying 3,700 kg of food, fuel, and materials and the other carrying 3,000 kg of cargo, have recently arrived at the ISS.
Living in space for an extended period requires unique arrangements. On the ISS, astronauts can sleep anywhere they like due to the lack of gravity. They sleep using sleeping bags and pillows secured to the floor, walls, or ceiling in sleeping quarters. Astronauts can make video calls, conduct audio conversations, or send emails via NASA. The ISS also features a gym called the “Advanced Resistive Exercise Device” (ARED), where astronauts can work out using vacuum cylinders to simulate weight. They can exercise to maintain their muscle mass and bone density until they return to Earth. Additionally, Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore have access to a vegetable production system, allowing them to grow fresh produce and even flowers in space. During their extended stay, they will conduct experiments on various techniques to enhance plant growth in space.
A Day on the International Space Station
The ISS is one of humanity’s most significant bases for space exploration, orbiting Earth. The daily lives of astronauts living in this unique environment are certainly quite different from those on the ground. So, what does a day look like for an astronaut aboard the ISS?
Waking Up and Starting the Day: Astronauts’ days follow a strict schedule set by mission control centres on Earth. They wake up in the early hours. Sleeping in a weightless environment is not like sleeping on Earth, astronauts sleep tethered to specially designed sleeping bags to prevent unwanted movement and ensure a more comfortable rest.
Exercise and Health: Regular exercise is crucial for astronauts, as the weightless environment can weaken muscle and bone tissue. They exercise for at least two hours each day using specially designed treadmills, stationary bikes, and weightlifting equipment. These devices are specifically engineered to create a sensation of weight in an environment that lacks gravity. Additionally, bone density measurements are regularly conducted to prevent osteoporosis.
Scientific Studies: The ISS serves as a mobile laboratory where astronauts conduct experiments across various fields, including biology, physics, engineering, and medicine. Research topics include the development of new medications, plant cultivation, materials science, and the effects of space on the human body. The results of these experiments are vital for improving life on Earth and paving the way for future space missions.
Daily Life and Maintenance: Similar to household chores on Earth, astronauts maintain the ISS. They clean equipment, troubleshoot malfunctions, and organise incoming supplies. Their nutrition is provided through specially prepared dehydrated foods and powdered drinks. Water is recycled through specialised purification systems.
Communication and Entertainment: Astronauts regularly participate in video conferences with their families, friends, and mission control centres on Earth. This not only boosts their morale but also facilitates the exchange of information regarding their missions. In their free time, they read books, listen to music, play games, and enjoy watching Earth from space.
Psychological Support: Prolonged stays in space can lead to psychological issues such as loneliness, stress, and depression. Therefore, astronauts receive regular support from psychologists. Group therapy sessions and individual consultations are essential for maintaining their psychological well-being.
Looking to the Future: Life aboard the ISS continually enhances humanity’s ability to live and work in space. In the future, the ISS will serve as an important training and experience centre for crewed missions to the Moon and Mars. The experience astronauts gain on the ISS is crucial for preparing for such extended space missions.
In conclusion, an astronaut’s life on the ISS is an intense experience filled with science, adventure, and challenges. These astronauts are pioneers pushing the boundaries of humanity in space. Their work opens the doors to uncharted worlds for future generations.
Those Stranded in Space
While space exploration is one of humanity’s greatest adventures, this journey has not always been easy or safe. Throughout history, many astronauts have faced the risk of being stranded in space due to unexpected technical issues or natural disasters. These situations have significantly contributed to the advancement of space technologies and have tested the limits of human resilience. Let’s take a brief look at these dramatic events in the depths of space and their causes.
Engine Failure:
In 1971, the USSR launched Salyut, the world’s first space station. In April 1979, the ninth mission aboard the Soyuz spacecraft was set to bring a new crew to the station and return the existing crew to Earth. However, the spacecraft’s engine failed shortly after launch. Fortunately, the cosmonauts aboard Soyuz returned to Earth safely. However, Vladimir Lyakhov and Valery Ryumin, who were in Salyut, remained there as there was no safe return vehicle available. Their Soyuz spacecraft was sent back to Earth empty due to concerns that it might encounter the same engine issues. When a new uncrewed Soyuz spacecraft finally brought them home, the two cosmonauts had spent a total of 175 days in space, a record at the time. Ryumin would go on to complete two more missions: one in 1980 aboard Soyuz and another in 1998 on a NASA space shuttle.
Geopolitical Chaos:
When the Soviet Union collapsed in December 1991, cosmonaut Sergei Krikalev was in the fourth month of a five-month mission aboard the Mir space station. It was uncertain whether he would be able to complete his mission. The country that had sent him into space no longer existed, and the Soviet cosmodrome in Kazakhstan had come under the control of a newly independent state. Although there was an emergency capsule for Krikalev to return to Earth, he continued his mission as the only qualified flight engineer at that time, spending 311 days in space to complete his assignment.
Remaining in space for such an extended period was a significant physical and psychological challenge for Krikalev. He faced physical issues such as muscle loss, bone density reduction, and a weakened immune system due to the weightless environment. Additionally, prolonged isolation, loneliness, and delays in communication with Earth caused significant psychological strain.
Krikalev’s experience is not just a personal story; it is a pivotal moment that highlights the challenges of space exploration and the importance of international cooperation. This experience, occurring amid the historic event of the Soviet Union’s dissolution, transformed Krikalev into a symbol of unity. Scientists and engineers from different countries worked together to ensure his safe return to Earth, reaffirming the significance of international collaboration in space exploration.
A Space Flight Disaster:
On 1 February 2003, NASA’s Columbia space shuttle disintegrated while re-entering the Earth’s atmosphere, resulting in the tragic loss of seven crew members. This disaster led to the grounding of the space shuttle fleet for 2.5 years.
In the aftermath of this catastrophe, there were no available vehicles for the return of the astronauts currently aboard the International Space Station (ISS). A three-member team, consisting of Don Pettit, Ken Bowersox, and Nikolai Budarin, remained on the ISS for two more months before returning to Earth in May 2003 aboard a Soyuz spacecraft.
In an interview with space historian Frank White, Pettit expressed his sadness over the tragedy that extended their stay in space, but he was also pleased with the mission extension. “We all liked the idea of extending our mission because we weren’t ready to go back to Earth just yet,” Pettit stated. Now 69 years old, Pettit is NASA’s oldest active astronaut and began a new mission aboard the ISS on 11 September.
Micrometeoroid Impact:
In December 2022, a Soyuz spacecraft docked at the ISS experienced a coolant leak due to a small micrometeoroid impact. As a result of this incident, NASA astronaut Frank Rubio, along with Russian cosmonauts Sergey Prokopyev and Dmitri Petelin stayed in space for six months longer than originally planned, spending over a year in space in total.
Reflecting the echoes of the engine failure incident from 1979, the damaged Soyuz spacecraft was sent back to Earth uncrewed. A new Soyuz spacecraft arrived at the ISS in February 2023. However, due to budget constraints and mission schedules, the crew’s return was delayed until September. Rubio completed a record-setting 370 days in space, the longest duration in NASA history, and continues to express his desire to return to space. With thousands of new satellites orbiting in low Earth orbit, micrometeoroid impacts are expected to become an increasingly frequent issue. The rising traffic in space may also complicate launch and re-entry schedules.
Weather Conditions on Earth:
The third fully commercial space mission, Axiom Mission 3, launched four European astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS) aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft on 18 January 2024. The mission was originally scheduled to return to Earth on 3 February but was delayed for several days due to storms off the Florida coast. The crew returned to Earth on 9 February after spending 18 days aboard the ISS. The crew was not upset by the extension of their mission. Mission commander Michael López-Alegría shared on X (formerly Twitter) on 6 February, “More time on the Space Station = More photos!”
Despite all these challenges and dangers, many astronauts are eager to return to space. Even astronauts whose flights have been postponed express a desire to fly again. Pettit remarked, “If they asked whether I preferred a six-month mission or a year-long mission, I would choose the year-long mission. People think I’m joking, but I’m serious. If we had the technology, I would load my family and myself onto the next rocket and migrate to space, never to return to Earth.”
The ever-evolving and changing nature of spaceflight provides astronauts with an experience filled with uncertainties. Yet, despite these risks, the desire to stay in space for longer reflects humanity’s yearning for exploration. The extra time that Williams and Wilmore spent on this mission highlights astronauts’ love and commitment to this experience, despite life’s challenges in space.
REFERENCES
- 1. https://www.sciencenews.org/article/astronauts-get-stuck-space-often
- 2. https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20240809-what-happens-when-astronauts-get-stuck-in-space
- 3. https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/how-sunita-williams-butch-wilmore-will-spend-another-7-months-in-space-6435012