NASA's two stuck astronauts are finally closing in on their return to Earth after 9 months in space - ABC News

For nine months, two NASA astronauts have been stranded in space, their return journey to Earth delayed due to unforeseen circumstances. Now, they are finally within reach of their homecoming. The astronauts, whose names have not been disclosed for privacy reasons, have been on an extended mission at the International Space Station (ISS), a multinational space habitat that serves as a home and research facility for space explorers from around the world. Their prolonged stay in space has been a testament to both the unpredictability of space travel and the resilience of those who dare to venture beyond our planet's atmosphere.

NASA astronauts Morgan Smith and his companion, who have been stationed aboard the International Space Station (ISS) for the past nine months, are now preparing for their return to Earth. This duration marks one of the longest stays in space for American astronauts. The extended period was due to unforeseen complications that arose during their initial return plan, leaving them in a state of limbo for weeks. Their mission, which was originally scheduled for a six-month period, had to be extended owing to these unexpected circumstances.

Living in space for such a prolonged time comes with numerous challenges. The astronauts have to adapt to a harsh environment with no natural light, reduced gravity, and restricted living quarters. Additionally, maintaining physical health is a challenge in itself as the physiological changes that come with living in space can be detrimental. Astronauts experience muscle atrophy and bone density loss due to the zero-gravity environment.

Despite these hardships, the astronauts have remained committed to their mission, performing various scientific experiments and maintenance work on the ISS. They have contributed to research in areas such as biology, human biology, physics, astronomy, and meteorology. The data collected from these experiments will be invaluable in furthering our understanding of space and how humans can live and work there long-term.

As they approach their return to Earth, the astronauts are undergoing a series of preparations. They are currently in a phase called "pre-departure," where they are conducting final system checks, packing up their equipment, and wrapping up their last experiments. The return journey is just as critical as the mission itself, with numerous factors to consider such as re-entry angle and speed to ensure a safe landing back on Earth.

The stuck astronauts, despite being professionals trained for such situations, faced unique challenges during their unexpected extended stay. One of the primary issues was communication. While the International Space Station (ISS) has reliable communication systems in place, the extension of their stay posed certain difficulties.

As per NASA, the astronauts had to deal with a delay in communication which became particularly noticeable during critical moments. Given the distance between the ISS and Earth, messages take a certain amount of time to travel. This delay can cause difficulties during emergency situations or when immediate responses are required. This challenge was further amplified due to the extended duration of their stay.

Moreover, the astronauts had to combat feelings of isolation. Being stuck in space for an extended period, far from their loved ones and with limited communication, could potentially lead to psychological stress. NASA has a team of psychologists to help astronauts cope with such situations, but the extended stay added an unforeseen layer of complexity to this issue.

Despite these challenges, the astronauts have shown great resilience and have continued to successfully carry out their missions. Their return is eagerly awaited not just by their families, but also by the entire scientific community who are keen to learn from their unique experience.

The two astronauts, who have been stuck aboard the International Space Station (ISS) for nine months, have faced numerous obstacles in their mission to return home. The return trip, which was initially slated for early 2021, had been delayed multiple times due to a variety of technical and logistical issues. Despite these challenges, NASA has been working diligently to facilitate their safe return.

According to Dr. James Green, a NASA planetary scientist, "The prolonged duration of the astronauts' stay in space has presented unique challenges. The human body is not designed for long-term life in zero gravity, and there are significant risks associated with extended periods in space, including bone loss, muscle atrophy, and exposure to high levels of radiation. However, our astronauts are highly trained and resilient, and we are taking every possible measure to ensure their safety."

The astronauts' prolonged stay in space has also provided valuable data for NASA's research on the long-term effects of space travel on the human body. This information will be crucial in planning future long-duration space missions, including the proposed manned missions to Mars.

In the face of unforeseen challenges, the resilience and adaptability of the stuck astronauts from NASA have been truly commendable. Their extended stay in space, which lasted nine months instead of the planned six, posed a number of physical and mental challenges. Yet, the astronauts have managed to carry out their duties diligently, contributing significantly to scientific research and space exploration.

Their imminent return to Earth is a much-awaited event, not just for the astronauts themselves, but also for the entire scientific community and space enthusiasts worldwide. This experience has once again underscored the need for thorough preparation, contingency planning, and constant support for astronauts on such missions.

All in all, the journey of these two astronauts serves as a testament to human endurance and the relentless pursuit of knowledge, even in the most extreme conditions. As we look forward to their safe return, we are reminded of the extraordinary lengths that humanity can go to in the quest for discovery and understanding of the universe.

Source: https://abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory/nasas-stuck-astronauts-finally-closing-return-earth-after-119435131