Two NASA astronauts, Sunita Williams, 59, and Barry ‘Butch’ Wilmore, 61, have been aboard the International Space Station (ISS) for over five months, adapting to unique challenges in the absence of their intended return vehicle. Their spacecraft, Boeing’s Starliner, suffered technical failures, leaving the pair temporarily stranded in space.
Originally scheduled for an eight-day mission, the astronauts will now remain on the ISS until February, when they are set to return to Earth aboard SpaceX’s Dragon capsule. The unexpected extension of their mission has sparked curiosity and concern over their day-to-day survival in orbit.
Stranded by Technical Failures
The Boeing Starliner capsule, meant to transport the astronauts back to Earth, encountered thruster malfunctions and helium leaks, which rendered it unsafe for the return journey. As a result, the spacecraft returned to Earth without its crew, leaving Williams and Wilmore to continue their mission aboard the ISS until a safer alternative was arranged.
Their extended stay has prompted questions about their living conditions and access to food and water.
Life Aboard the ISS
According to a specialist associated with the mission, the astronauts have access to a variety of foods, including pizza, shrimp cocktails, chicken, breakfast cereals with powdered milk, and freeze-dried fruits and vegetables. Fresh produce is available initially but runs out after a few months, leaving the crew to rely on preserved and packaged items.
Food preparation on the ISS involves reheating pre-cooked meals using a food warmer or hydrating freeze-dried items with water from the station’s supply. Liquid-based meals, such as soups, require rehydration using water from an advanced recycling system that processes waste into drinkable water.
Recycling Water in Space
The ISS’s innovative recycling system ensures a sustainable water supply for the crew. NASA explains that the system captures moisture from sweat, breath, and urine, transforming it into clean water.
The process begins with wastewater collection, which is sent to the Water Processor Assembly (WPA) to produce drinkable water. Advanced dehumidifiers extract moisture from the air, while the Urine Processor Assembly (UPA) uses vacuum distillation to recover water from urine. Any remaining water in the urine brine is extracted by a Brine Processor Assembly (BPA), helping the system achieve a 98% water recovery rate.
Adapting to Life in Microgravity
Despite concerns about their physical health, both astronauts are reportedly managing well. In a recent interview, Williams addressed rumors about her weight, confirming that she has not lost any. “I’m actually right at the same amount,” she said. She noted that changes in body appearance are common in space due to the redistribution of fluids caused by microgravity, which can make astronauts appear slightly larger or swollen.
Returning Home
While the astronauts were only meant to spend eight days in space, their five-month stay has showcased their adaptability and the efficiency of the ISS’s life-support systems. Williams and Wilmore are scheduled to return to Earth in February aboard SpaceX’s Dragon capsule, bringing an end to their extended mission and demonstrating the resilience and ingenuity required for life in space.