New Delhi: From 400 kilometers above Paris Indian-origin astronaut Sunita Williams and her fellow astronauts are celebrating the spirit of the Olympics at the International Space Station (ISS). Despite being in limbo for 52 days due to a malfunctioning spacecraft, Williams shared a video showing the crew participating in zero-gravity sports to send their best wishes to the athletes competing in the Paris 2024 Olympics.
In the video, Williams can be seen performing gymnastic steps and somersaults, holding an electronic version of the Olympic torch. Other astronauts join in by throwing discus, shot put balls, and attempting weightlifting, all in the weightless environment of the space station.
“Let the games begin! Athletes from across the world are gathering today to kick off the 2024 #Olympics pushing boundaries and inspiring generations,” NASA tweeted alongside the video. “If you were an Olympic athlete, which sport would you play?”
NASA assured that the nine astronauts onboard, including Williams and her crewmate Butch Wilmore, are safe and in good spirits despite the delay in their return to Earth. The space agency also provided an update on the Boeing Starliner, the spacecraft responsible for the delay. A recent ‘hot test’ on the Starliner’s thrusters showed promising results, with the helium system remaining stable. However, the exact return date for Williams and Wilmore remains uncertain.
Williams, a 59-year-old Navy test pilot, helped design the Boeing Starliner and was on a 10-day mission when the malfunction occurred. The Starliner can remain docked with the ISS for up to 90 days, giving NASA and Boeing less than six weeks to resolve the issue. In the meantime, the astronauts have the option to return on SpaceX’s Crew Dragon or the Russian Soyuz spacecraft, both of which are already docked at the station.
Boeing has faced several challenges with the Starliner, exceeding its initial $4.2 billion contract budget by $1.5 billion. The company is under scrutiny, with its CEO recently questioned by US Senators about safety and transparency. The successful return of Williams and Wilmore is crucial for Boeing’s reputation and the Starliner program’s future.
As the world watches the Paris Olympics, the astronauts’ playful celebration and ‘Godspeed’ wishes from space add a unique and inspiring touch to the global event.
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