Inside the International Space Station: Where Sunita Williams Spent 9 Months- wna24

New Delhi: The International Space Station (ISS) is almost the size of a football field. It measures about 72.8 meters (239 feet) in length, 108.5 meters (356 feet) in width, and 20 meters (66 feet) in height. The station has a mass of around 420,000 kilograms (925,000 pounds) and orbits the Earth at an average altitude of about 400 kilometers (248 miles). It is the largest human-made structure in space and serves as a laboratory and living space for astronauts, including Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, who spent 9 months aboard stranded in the ISS.

The concept of the International Space Station (ISS) began in the mid-1980s when the United States initiated plans for a space station called Freedom. At the same time, the Soviet Union was developing its own station, Mir-2. Following the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, the US and Russia agreed to merge their plans, leading to the creation of a single international space station.

In 1998, 15 countries, including the US, Russia, Japan, Canada, and the European Union, signed an agreement to collaborate on the ISS. The first module, Zarya, launched on November 20, 1998, providing propulsion and power for the station. It was followed by the launch of the US Unity module in December 1999, which acted as a hub for other modules to connect. These early launches marked the beginning of the ISS’s assembly in orbit.

Peggy Whitson, a renowned astronaut, set the US record for spending the most total time living and working in space, accumulating 665 days by September 2, 2017.

International Partnership and Crew

An international partnership of five space agencies from 15 countries operates the International Space Station (ISS), which has been continuously occupied since November 2000. The ISS is home to a diverse crew of astronauts and cosmonauts who live and work in space, traveling at a speed of five miles per second, orbiting Earth about every 90 minutes. Typically, seven crew members reside on the station, although there can be more during crew handovers. 

Living and Working in Space

The living and working space aboard the ISS is larger than a six-bedroom house, equipped with six sleeping quarters, two bathrooms, a gym, and a 360-degree view bay window. To counteract the loss of muscle and bone mass due to microgravity, astronauts work out for at least two hours a day. The space station also offers a unique and challenging environment, where astronauts and cosmonauts regularly conduct spacewalks for station construction, maintenance, and upgrades.

Kitchen and Food Preparation

The ISS has a galley with a variety of freeze-dried and packaged food. Astronauts can prepare meals in a small kitchen area, using hot water and specialized tools to rehydrate food and heat it up.

The ISS is equipped with communication systems that allow astronauts to maintain contact with mission control on Earth. They have access to video calls, emails, and live television communication.

Solar Panels and Power Supply

The ISS is powered by large solar arrays that convert sunlight into electricity to support all of the station’s systems, from life support to research equipment. The station has batteries that store energy for periods when it is in the Earth’s shadow.

Assembly and Cargo Delivery

The station’s large modules and other components were delivered on 42 assembly flights—37 on U.S. space shuttles and five on Russian Proton/Soyuz rockets. Four different cargo spacecraft are responsible for delivering science experiments, cargo, and supplies: Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus, SpaceX’s Dragon, JAXA’s HTV, and the Russian Progress spacecraft.

To counteract the effects of microgravity on the muscles and bones of astronauts, the ISS has exercise equipment such as a treadmill, a stationary bike, and a resistance exercise device. Regular exercise is essential to maintain astronaut health during extended missions.

Robotics and Spacecraft Operations

The 55-foot robotic arm, Canadarm2, has seven different joints and two end-effectors, or hands. This robot is used for moving entire modules, deploying science experiments, and even transporting spacewalking astronauts. The station can connect up to eight spacecraft simultaneously, and spacecraft can arrive as soon as four hours after launching from Earth.

The ISS features observation windows that provide stunning views of Earth and space. These windows are used by astronauts for photography, scientific observations, and relaxation.

Distance Traveled and Sustainability

In just one day, the ISS travels an equivalent distance to the Moon and back. The Water Recovery System aboard the station reduces crew dependence on water delivered by cargo spacecraft by 65 percent, cutting down water usage from about 1 gallon per day to a third of a gallon. On-orbit software monitors approximately 350,000 sensors to ensure the health and safety of both the station and its crew.

Technological Infrastructure

The ISS’s internal pressurized volume is equivalent to that of a Boeing 747. Over 50 computers control the systems on the space station, and more than 3 million lines of software code support over 1.5 million lines of flight software code. In the US segment of the station alone, more than 1.5 million lines of flight software code run on 44 computers, communicating via 100 data networks and transferring 400,000 signals such as pressure or temperature measurements, and valve positions.

NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, along with their colleagues, are set to return to Earth after an extended stay aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The crew, which also includes NASA astronaut Hague and Russian cosmonaut Gorbunov, is scheduled to depart the ISS on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, at 8 am. Their return follows a crew handover period as they prepare to leave the space station after nearly 10 months in orbit.

Also Read: Sunita Williams First Reaction On Seeing Crew 10 Member Entering ISS

Sunita Williams, during the arrival of Crew-10, expressed gratitude and excitement, saying, “Houston, thanks for tuning in early morning. Great to see our friends arrive.” Initially, their mission was expected to last only 10 days, but complications with their spacecraft, the Boeing Starliner, led to an unexpected extension of their stay. 

The astronauts had launched on June 5, 2024, but the Starliner encountered thruster malfunctions during its approach and docking maneuvers, which prevented their return to Earth as scheduled.

Following an extensive investigation by NASA and Boeing, the spacecraft was deemed too risky to carry the astronauts back home, leaving Williams and Wilmore stranded aboard the ISS. As a result, they were forced to remain on the station far longer than anticipated. The investigation ultimately led to the decision to delay their return until a safe and suitable spacecraft was ready.