Sunita Williams' ‘space gardening’ extends beyond 50 days amid Starliner glitches

Indian-origin astronaut Sunita Williams continues her groundbreaking mission aboard the Boeing Starliner, as what was initially planned as a 10-day journey has now extended beyond 50 days.

The mission, facing unexpected propulsion system glitches and helium leaks, has seen Williams and her fellow astronaut Barry "Butch" Wilmore safely stationed on the International Space Station (ISS) since June 6.

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Despite the technical setbacks, NASA reports that Williams and Wilmore have been actively contributing to the Expedition 71 crew's ongoing maintenance tasks and scientific experiments.

A veteran astronaut on her third space mission, Williams has taken on a unique project: investigating fluid physics to manage plant growth in the microgravity of space. This "space gardening" experiment uses surface tension to water and nourish plants, providing critical insights for future space habitats.

In addition to her botanical research, Williams has been involved in medical experiments to understand microgravity's impact on the human body. Using an ultrasound device, she and Wilmore conducted vein scans on each other, focusing on the neck, shoulder, and legs, with real-time monitoring by ground-based doctors. Williams also scanned the veins of fellow NASA astronaut Matthew Dominick, contributing valuable data for researchers.

NASA engineers are soon expected to provide an update on the Starliner’s status and announce a potential return date for Williams and Wilmore.