Earlier this year, I covered the safe return of NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore, who were delayed on the International Space Station due to technical problems with Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft that morphed an 8-day stay into a 9-month adventure.
Now, three Chinese astronauts aboard the Tiangong space station have been stranded in orbit after their return capsule, Shenzhou-20, was struck by space debris just before their scheduled journey back to Earth. The accident occurred as the crew was set to return after handing over station duties to the new Shenzhou-21 crew.
The Shenzhou-20 team was scheduled to return to Earth on Wednesday, but their mission was suddenly extended after engineers conducted an impact analysis of their spacecraft, the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) said in a statement.The return craft is believed to have been hit by space junk, with the astronaut’s mission extended indefinitely, according to state broadcaster CCTV, which offered no further details.Mission commander Chen Dong, fighter pilot Chen Zhongrui, and engineer Wang Jie have been aboard the space station since April as part of their 6-month rotation.
Apparently, there are growing calls for Elon Musk’s SpaceX to assist in a rescue, as it did with the Boeing team.
Calls are growing for billionaire Elon Musk to come to the rescue of three stranded Chinese astronauts after their return capsule was struck by space debris….Many online have been calling on Space X CEO Elon Musk for help after his company earlier this year came to rescue of NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, who were stuck on the International Space Station for nine months.“Elon Musk! Would you be able to save these Chinese astronauts?” one person wrote on X,“@elonmusk Any plans or request from China to rescue their stranded astronauts?” another asked, tagging the billionaire.“Elon Musk and SpaceX to the rescue??” another questioned.
Meanwhile, back on Earth, Williams has been spending time with family and building back muscle.
After Williams returned to Earth, it took time for her body to adjust. She worked out often while in space to combat bone density issues and muscle loss.“We were in pretty good shape when we got back. The big muscles are fine,” says Williams, who was able to walk around after they landed off the coast of Florida. She admits that she’s still rather slow, but that hasn’t stopped her from going on short hikes with her husband and the dogs.
And Wilmore is slated to be the Grand Marshall of the University of Tennessee homecoming parade.
The retired astronaut and devoted Big Orange fan will be grand marshal Nov. 14 at the annual University of Tennessee Homecoming Parade. UT made the announcement Monday….A Tennessee native, Wilmore is a graduate of the UT Space Institute. He’s also got bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Tennessee Tech in Cookeville.This past weekend, Wilmore was grand marshal for Tech’s homecoming parade.Wilmore was a test pilot before becoming an astronaut in 2000. Wilmore spent 25 years with NASA before retiring in August.
Here’s hoping the Chinese crew returns safely.
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