MUMBAI: A technical snag in the spacecraft that took them to the International Space Station (ISS) has forced astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore to spend an extended period in space. Last week, NASA said they might have to wait until February 2025 to return to Earth. However, the agency said that although they are in an unprecedented situation, Williams and Wilmore are not in danger.

As a result, NASA is considering alternative options for their return, including possibly using SpaceX's Crew Dragon spacecraft. NASA officials are reviewing data to determine the safest course of action for Williams and Wilmore's eventual return.

Williams, along with fellow astronaut Wilmore, is currently aboard the ISS after their mission, which was initially expected to last only a few days, has been extended significantly. They launched on June 5, 2024, and due to issues with Boeing's Starliner spacecraft, their return has been delayed.

Despite the unexpected extension, Williams has expressed a positive outlook on her time in space, stating that it feels good to be integrated with the ISS crew and to work on various tasks and experiments. The ISS is equipped to support them for several more months, and they are currently conducting routine operations alongside seven other astronauts already stationed there.