Return of Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams from the ISS

Return of Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams from the ISS

Why in the News?

NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams have returned to Earth after an unexpectedly extended 286-day mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Originally planned as an 8-day mission, their return was delayed due to issues with Boeing's Starliner spacecraft. They eventually returned aboard SpaceX's Crew Dragon, showcasing both the technological and health challenges of extended space travel.

Key Facts About Starliner Spacecraft and SpaceX’s Crew Dragon

• Starliner Spacecraft: Developed by Boeing in collaboration with NASA’s Commercial Crew Program (CCP), the Starliner spacecraft was designed to transport astronauts to and from low Earth orbit (LEO). It was responsible for taking Williams and Wilmore to the ISS in 2024 but propulsion issues delayed their return.

• SpaceX’s Crew Dragon: The Crew Dragon is one of the two variants of SpaceX’s Dragon 2 spacecraft, featuring a reusable capsule and launching atop a Falcon 9 rocket. Developed under NASA’s CCP, Crew Dragon primarily ferries astronauts to the ISS, while its counterpart, Cargo Dragon, is used for transporting cargo. The Crew Dragon spacecraft, named Freedom, was used to bring Williams and Wilmore back to Earth during NASA’s SpaceX Crew-9 mission.

Health Implications of Space Travel

• Space Anemia: A condition where astronauts experience a reduction in red blood cell count due to fluid shifts in microgravity, leading to fatigue, dizziness, and cardiovascular risks post-mission.

• Spaceflight-Associated Neuro-ocular Syndrome (SANS): A vision impairment caused by fluid shifts in microgravity that result in optic disc swelling and farsightedness.

• Baby Feet Syndrome: Refers to the hypersensitivity of astronauts’ feet and difficulty walking after prolonged space missions. In microgravity, the lack of weight-bearing activity causes foot calluses to disappear, making the skin soft and sensitive upon return to Earth.

• Bone Density Loss: Studies by NASA show that astronauts lose around 2% of their bone density per month in space. Without countermeasures such as exercise, this loss can lead to osteoporosis-like conditions.

• Cosmic Radiation Exposure: In space, astronauts face direct exposure to cosmic rays and solar radiation, unlike Earth, where the atmosphere and magnetic field protect against these rays. This exposure can lead to DNA damage, genetic mutations, and an increased risk of cancer. Deep-space missions, like those to Mars and the Moon, present higher risks due to prolonged exposure.

India's Gaganyaan Mission and Bhartiya Antriksh Station (BAS)

• Gaganyaan Mission: India’s upcoming mission to send three astronauts on a 3-day journey to a 400 km orbit, returning them safely to Earth. This mission will place India alongside the US, Russia, and China in human spaceflight. The Gaganyaan mission’s immediate goal is to demonstrate human spaceflight to Low Earth Orbit, with the long-term aim of establishing a sustained Indian human space exploration program.

• Bhartiya Antriksh Station (BAS): India’s planned space station, which will orbit Earth at 400–450 km. The first module, the Base Module, is expected to be launched in 2028, with full operational capacity by 2035. The BAS will support human spaceflight, Earth observation, and microgravity research, while fostering technological innovations.

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ)

Prelims

Q. What is the purpose of the US Space Agency’s Themis Mission, which was recently in the news? (2008)
(a) To study the possibility of life on Mars
(b) To study the satellites of Saturn
(c) To study the colourful display of high latitude skies
(d) To build a space laboratory to study stellar explosions

Ans: (c)

Q. In the context of space technology, what is “Bhuvan,” which was recently in the news? (2010)
(a) A mini satellite launched by ISRO for promoting distance education in India
(b) The name given to the next Moon Impact Probe for Chandrayaan-II
(c) A geoportal of ISRO with 3D imaging capabilities of India
(d) A space telescope developed by India

Ans: (c)

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