NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore will join a live Q&A session today from the International Space Station (ISS). The event is scheduled for 11:45 PM IST on Friday, September 13, where the astronauts will connect with Earth for a news conference.

NASA has confirmed that the live session will be available for viewing on NASA+, the NASA app, and its official website. The broadcast will allow space enthusiasts and the public to engage with the astronauts during their extended mission aboard the ISS.

Extended Mission for Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore

Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore have been on an extended mission in space since their launch aboard Boeing's Starliner spacecraft on June 5, 2024. While the Starliner spacecraft returned safely to Earth on September 7, the astronauts will remain aboard the ISS until their scheduled return on a SpaceX Dragon craft in February 2025.

A NASA official confirmed Starliner’s safe landing in New Mexico, adding that the spacecraft had proven its reliability once again. However, the decision was made to bring the spacecraft back uncrewed, ensuring the safety of the two astronauts still stationed in orbit.

Starliner's Technical Challenges and Return Delays

The Starliner mission, originally planned to return by mid-June, faced technical issues that extended the astronauts’ time in space. After numerous thruster tests by Boeing, NASA ultimately chose to return the crew with SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft instead, ensuring a safer return for Williams and Wilmore.

This mission marked Boeing's first crewed flight with Starliner, a significant milestone despite the delays. Both astronauts are currently part of the ISS Expedition 71/72 crew and will continue their mission until their return in 2025.

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