Who are Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore, astronauts return to Earth after 9 months stranded in space

The space capsule, called Starliner, was developed by Boeing for NASA, and that flight was the first they did with a crew of astronauts on board.

But soon problems were recorded. There were complications with the propellers that drive the capsule, as well as helium gas escapes that injects fuel into the propulsion system.

As NASA analyzed the technical problems, the return of the two astronauts was applauded again and again. Without a definitive date the result has been that they have been “stranded” for almost nine months in the space station.

But, although unexpected, it is not a situation in the style of Robinson Crusoe. They have all NASA’s support resources, in addition Williams and Wilmore are two experienced astronauts, with many hours of accumulated space flight, and claim to be trained to “expect the unexpected.”

They have devoted themselves with enthusiasm to conducting scientific research and the maintenance of the US in the way all astronauts who inhabit it contribute.

Who are these two veteran astronauts?

Sunita “Suni” Williams, 58, is the daughter of an Indian father and Slovenian mother. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy with a title in Physical Sciences in 1987 and then made a master’s degree in Engineering Administration at the Technological Institute of Florida.

It was selected as Astronaut by NASA in 1998 and is a veteran of two space missions prior to its current stay at the International Space Station.

He has also worked in Moscow with the Russian space agency, Roscosmos, in the contribution that Russia makes to the space station.

He has diversified his knowledge working in the robotic division. Williams spent a total of 322 days in the space during his two previous missions.

He has made nine space walks – a record for a woman – is the second astronaut woman with more time accumulated in space walks with a total of 50 hours and 40 minutes.

Barry “Butch” Wilmore, 61, received a degree in Science and Master’s Degree in Electrical Engineering at the Technological University of Tennessee and another Master in Aviation Systems at the University of Tennessee.

He has extensive military experience, as an officer and pilot of the US Naval Force, with more than 8,000 flight hours and 663 landing lands.

He was selected as Astronaut by NASA in July 2000 and is a captain in retirement of the United States Navy.

Butch is a veteran of two space flights and has accumulated 178 days in space, according to NASA. However, that number will be overwhelmingly exceeded because the period that has lasted in its last mission has not yet joined.

In his last mission, he served as a flight engineer for expedition 41, and assumed the US command upon arrival of the expedition 42.

He returned from this to Earth in March 2015. During the mission, he accumulated 167 days in space and made four walks.

What have been doing all this time?

Most space missions last about six months, so spending more than nine months in the EEI is unusual, especially if you thought it would only be eight days.

However, both NASA and astronauts are prepared for any eventuality.

“That’s what is the human space flight, plan for unexpected contingencies and that is what we did,” said Butch Wilmore in an interview that the agency broadcast live on March 4.

NASA said it has sent two supply flights to the US, with food, water, clothing and oxygen. In addition, a new group of astronauts has joined the crew of the station, under the command of Commander Nick Hague.

Hague expressed in the March 4 interview that the mission of the space station is “something we deeply believe”, adding that it forces the team to accept the risks of space exploration.

For their part, Williams and Willmore have adapted well to their extended mission. They have not been on vacation. Astronauts are usually quite busy, helping the complex operation of the station, including the arrangement of a damaged sink.

They made a space walk together and have carried out several scientific experiments. Their research includes the observation of how plants grow in space, monitoring how the human body reacts to ingrability, and even how to grow food.

It is a routine that Wilmore starts at 04:30 and Williams at 06:30. Both also enjoy two hours or more of daily exercise, which is essential to combat the loss of bone density that happens in space.

The personal effects of life on space

Despite being busy in all their responsibilities aboard the US, Williams and Wilmore confess that they have been challenging moments. Particularly in family terms.

Suni Williams says that events have been like a “roller mountain” for families, given the uncertainty when they would be returning. That has been the most difficult, he says.

Once back, they will go through a large adjustment period, as the BBC explained to Dr. Simeon Barber, of the University Open in the United Kingdom.

“When they send you to a work trip that is supposed to last a week, you are not waiting for a good part of a year,” he said.

“This stay extended in space will have interrupted family life, things will have happened in their homes that will have been lost, so there will be a period of disorder.”

At the same time, astronauts acknowledged that they are going to miss life in space.

For Butch Wilmore, one of the aspects of the ungravation is that the pains and achaques that come with age do not feel. “Your joints do not hurt you, that’s quite good,” he said in the interview.

But he also commented on the great sense of responsibility, such as when another colleague is helped to place his suit for a space walk and then open the gate to bring it inside again. It is the moment of more pride, he explained.

For his part, Suni Williams said that “I will miss everything from space.” He described how he has given it an “incredible perspective”, on the land in particular, that he would like, “somehow bottling” to bring it with him.

“The door opens to think a little. It is the only planet we have and should take care of it,” he said.

He also said that the most exciting moment was to see the dawn from space. “The sun has been very active. It puts you in your place and recognizes that the universe is extremely powerful.”

Even so, both astronauts are anxiously waiting for their return to Earth.

After about two days of transfer with the new crew, and if the climatic conditions are favorable on Earth, Suni Williams, Butch Wilmore and two other astronauts in the US, will return aboard the Dragon Capsule of Spacex.

“We are going home, navigating the plasma, falling as dip in the ocean, that is what we are eager to do,” added Butch Wilmore.