What's Special About Dragon Pressure Suits That Sunita Williams Will Wear to Return Home

New Delhi: Indian-origin NASA astronaut Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, who are stuck in space for over three months now, recently reviewed the characteristics of the specially-designed Dragon pressure suits which they will wear while returning to Earth in February 2025.

Williams, who recently took charge as the commander of the International Space Station (ISS), and Flight Engineer Butch Wilmore, are gearing up for their return after their eight-day long space expedition extended to eight months after issues cropped up with their Boeing Starliner spacecraft.

Sunita, Butch Gear Up For Their Return

In addition to suit preparations, the Nasa astronauts aboard the orbiting laboratory are contributing in several research activities and experiments.

Sunita Williams supervised the cargo transfer operations, moving supplies in and out of the Cygnus cargo craft. This significant task ensures that the ISS has all the necessary things well-stocked and that experiments and samples can be sent back to Earth for analysis.

The space station's scientific research activity continued as astronauts Jeanette Epps and Michael Barratt assisted Williams in blood samples collection. These samples will be processed, stored, and later analyzed to examine the effects of long-term stay in space on the human body.

In the meantime, Wilmore joined fellow astronaut Victor Dominick to replace components in the waste and hygiene compartment, commonly known as the space toilet, located in the Tranquility module.

What Makes Dragon Pressure Suits Special?

Meanwhile, Russian cosmonaut Oleg Grebenkin tested a unique suit designed by Roscosmos for astronauts.

Grebenkin tested a lower body negative pressure suit which is expected to assist future spacecrews to adapt more quickly to Earth's gravity after concluding their space mission.

This technology is aimed at potentially reducing the physical challenges faced by astronauts upon their arrival to terrestrial conditions after months of weightlessness.

Sunita Stuck in Space

Sunita Williams, along with fellow astronaut Butch Wilmore, has been stuck in space since June 5, 2024, after launching aboard Boeing's Starliner spacecraft for its first crewed flight.

Initially planned for just eight days, her space mission got extended by over three months after issues cropped up with the Starliner spacecraft, delaying their return to Earth. Earlier in August, Nasa announced that the duo would return to Earth not earlier than February 2025.

Despite the unexpected extension of her mission, Williams had earlier displayed her enthusiasm for being in space, stating, "This is my happy place. I love being up here in space."

Both Williams and Wilmore are utilising their time onboard the orbiting laboratory by by engaging in routine maintenance and scientific experiments.