NASA Astronaut Sunita Williams Reveals the “Hardest Part” of Being Stranded in Space

Washington, DC: Veteran NASA astronaut Sunita Williams has opened up about the biggest challenge of being stranded in space for more than nine months, after what was originally planned as an eight-day mission to the International Space Station (ISS).

Williams and fellow astronaut Butch Wilmore launched aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft on June 5, 2024, expecting to return within days. However, technical malfunctions forced NASA to deem the spacecraft unsafe for a crewed return, extending their stay indefinitely.

Speaking from the ISS on Thursday, Williams explained that the most difficult aspect of the situation was not the lack of gravity or the confined quarters, but rather the uncertainty surrounding their return—both for the astronauts and their families on Earth.

“The hardest part is having the folks on the ground not know exactly when we're coming back. It's been a rollercoaster for them—probably more so than for us,” she said.

Stranded in Space: The Starliner Setback

The Boeing Starliner spacecraft, designed as a next-generation transport vehicle for NASA, suffered multiple technical issues on its way to the ISS. Due to safety concerns, NASA decided that the capsule was too risky to bring the astronauts back to Earth, and it was sent back without its crew in September 2024.

With no immediate backup plan, Williams and Wilmore remained on the ISS, relying on NASA's contingency measures to manage their prolonged stay.

Rescue Mission Aboard SpaceX Crew-9 Flight

After months of deliberation, NASA has now scheduled their return for March 19 or 20, 2025. Instead of Boeing’s Starliner, the agency has arranged for Elon Musk’s SpaceX Crew-9 mission to bring the stranded astronauts back home.

Their prolonged stay has fueled political debate, with Elon Musk suggesting that the delay was politically motivated. US President Donald Trump echoed these concerns, accusing the previous Biden administration of deliberately stalling their return.

Astronauts Avoid Political Controversy

Despite the heated discussion on the ground, Williams and Wilmore steered clear of political speculation, maintaining their focus on the mission.

“We know what we’ve lived up here,” Williams said when asked about Musk’s claims. “We have the utmost respect for everyone trying to get us home.”

Wilmore, however, acknowledged that they had not been provided with any information regarding the Biden administration’s actions on their situation.

"That's information that we simply don't have, so I believe him (Musk),” Wilmore remarked.

As the astronauts prepare for their long-awaited return, NASA continues to investigate the technical failures of the Starliner mission, while ensuring that future missions avoid similar complications.