**Astronaut Sunita Williams** was originally scheduled to spend just **eight days in space**, but **nearly eight months later**, she and fellow astronaut **Barry ‘Butch’ Wilmore** remain **stranded** aboard the **International Space Station (ISS).**
A Mission Gone Wrong
The two **NASA astronauts** launched toward the **ISS on June 5, 2024**, aboard **Boeing’s Starliner capsule**. However, due to **helium leaks and technical malfunctions**, the **capsule was deemed unfit to return them home**.
While the **capsule returned to Earth empty**, NASA has been **scrambling for months** to find a **safe return solution** for the astronauts. According to reports, their **return has been delayed multiple times**, and they are **not expected to return until late March 2025**.
Trump Calls on Elon Musk to Rescue Astronauts
Former **President Donald Trump** accused **the Biden administration** of **abandoning the two astronauts**, calling on **Elon Musk and SpaceX** to intervene.
**“Elon will soon be on his way. Hopefully, all will be safe,”** Trump stated. **“Good luck, Elon!!!”**
Musk responded on **X**, confirming that **SpaceX will be tasked with the rescue**.
NASA’s Backup Plan: SpaceX Crew-9 and Crew-10 Missions
NASA has **decided that Boeing’s Starliner is unfit** to return Williams and Wilmore home and has **tasked SpaceX with bringing them back instead**. The **Crew-9 capsule is currently docked** at the **ISS**, and it is expected that the **Crew-10 capsule** will be launched before **Crew-9 departs with the stranded astronauts**.
Williams’ Surprising Admission About Life in Space
Recently, **Sunita Williams** spoke with students from **Needham High School**, her alma mater. She described **life in microgravity**, comparing it to **swimming or flying**.
However, she made a **shocking admission**:
**“I’ve been up here long enough that I’ve been trying to remember what it’s like to walk. I haven’t walked. I haven’t sat down. I haven’t laid down.”**
Williams continued:
**“You don’t have to. You can just close your eyes and float where you are.”**
A Mission Extended Far Longer Than Expected
While the astronauts **expected their mission to last longer than eight days**, neither anticipated being **stranded for months**.
**“It was a little bit of a shock, actually,”** Williams admitted. **“We knew that it would be probably a month or so, honestly. But the extended stay was just a little bit different.”**
Missing Family and Longing to Return Home
Williams is eager to return to **Earth**, particularly because she wants to **spend time with her aging mother**.
**“My mother’s getting a little bit older, so in that regard, I try to stay in touch with her as much as possible,”** she shared. **“I think I talk to my mom practically every day.”**
Weight Loss Rumors Addressed
Back in **November 2024**, rumors spread that **Williams had lost a significant amount of weight** due to her prolonged stay in space. However, she **denied these claims**, stating that she and **Wilmore have access to a treadmill and weightlifting equipment**, allowing them to maintain their **physical health**.
What’s Next?
While Williams and Wilmore remain **stranded**, **NASA and SpaceX are actively planning their return**. The world watches **closely**, hoping for a **safe and successful homecoming** for the **two astronauts** who have endured a **space mission unlike any other**.
