Food Shortages and Delays: Sunita Williams’ Crew Stuck in Space

KAZI ABUL MONSUR, JOURNALIST#

After seeing the pictures of Sunita and her traveling companion Butch Wilmore stuck in the International Space Station (ISS) released by the American space research organization NASA, many experts said that Sunita does not have enough fresh food like fruits, grains.

Sunita Williams is an Indian-American astronaut and retired U.S. Navy captain known for her groundbreaking contributions to space exploration. Born on September 19, 1965, in Ohio, she has spent 322 days in space across multiple missions and holds a record for 50 hours and 40 minutes of spacewalking. She became the first woman to command the International Space Station during Expedition 33 in 2012. A test pilot and engineer by training, Sunita was selected as a NASA astronaut in 1998 and has been a key figure in advancing human spaceflight. Currently, she is set to command Boeing’s Starliner Crew Flight Test, part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program.
Sunita Williams’ current journey began in June 2023, when she and fellow astronaut Butch Wilmore traveled to the International Space Station (ISS) aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft as part of a test flight. Initially planned for an 8-day mission, the journey extended indefinitely after the spacecraft encountered significant technical issues, including gas leaks and malfunctioning thrusters. Efforts to repair the Starliner failed, leaving the astronauts stranded aboard the ISS.

Now, NASA has revised its plans to bring Sunita and her team back. The uncrewed Starliner spacecraft has already been returned to Earth, and the astronauts are set to return aboard SpaceX’s Crew-9 mission, scheduled for February 2024. Although NASA assures there is no immediate food shortage, experts suggest that fresh supplies like fruits and vegetables are running low, sparking concern. Meanwhile, NASA continues to monitor their health and ensure their safety aboard the ISS.
According to Anandabazar, A few days ago, a recent photo of Indian-origin astronaut Sunita Williams sparked global concern about her health. Her sunken cheeks and thin frame alarmed her fans. However, Sunita dismissed these concerns, stating that her weight has remained the same. She explained that the microgravity environment in space causes fluid distribution changes in the body, making her appear thinner. Despite her reassurances, the worry persists.

Experts, after analyzing photos released by NASA of Sunita and her companion Butch Wilmore aboard the International Space Station (ISS), suggested that they may lack fresh food like fruits and vegetables. Sunita and Butch traveled to the ISS in June aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft during its first test flight. They were scheduled to stay in space for eight days before returning. However, several technical issues, including gas leaks and malfunctioning thrusters, were detected in the spacecraft. Despite numerous repair attempts, the problems could not be resolved, leaving the astronauts stranded in space indefinitely.

NASA was forced to revise its plans and sought assistance from Elon Musk’s SpaceX. Recently, the uncrewed Boeing Starliner was returned to Earth. Sunita and her team are now expected to return on SpaceX’s Crew-9 mission, with NASA’s Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Alexander Gorbunov piloting the spacecraft. The mission is scheduled for February next year. According to a leading American daily, supplies of food and resources aboard the ISS are gradually depleting. However, NASA has assured that there is no food shortage.

A specialist associated with the Starliner program revealed to the media that astronauts have two types of food supplies: dried foods, such as powdered milk, cereal, pizza, roasted chicken, and tuna, and fresh produce like fruits and vegetables. According to the expert, Sunita and her team have an adequate stock of dried food but are running low on fresh supplies. Typically, fresh food is sent to the ISS every three months. “Initially, they had a good amount of fresh produce, but over the past three months, it has diminished,” the expert noted.

NASA has confirmed that the food sent every three months primarily consists of pre-cooked meals that can be reheated. Astronauts use magnetic plates and metallic cutlery to eat in microgravity. The organization has reassured that all necessary arrangements are in place, and doctors on Earth are closely monitoring Sunita’s health.

According to NASA, Sunita Williams and her team are not currently facing a food crisis, according to NASA. While reports suggest that fresh food supplies, such as fruits and vegetables, are running low aboard the International Space Station (ISS), there is still an adequate supply of dried and pre-cooked meals. These include items like powdered milk, cereals, and protein-rich foods. NASA has assured that the astronauts’ nutritional needs are being met, and regular health monitoring is in place to ensure their well-being. Fresh supplies are typically sent to the ISS every three months, and the next resupply mission is expected to address the shortage of fresh items.##