Astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore are making the most of their extended stay aboard the International Space Station. Initially, they were supposed to be on a quick 10-day mission, but they’ve been there since June 6 and may not return until next spring. Despite the delay, which was partly due to NASA’s decision to send their problematic Boeing Starliner back without a crew, they’ve been active participants in various experiments, taken creative liberties like icing Christmas cookies in microgravity, and maintained their health with rigorous daily workouts to fight off bone and muscle loss.
Originally, their return was pushed back to September, but uncertainties led NASA to plan the crew’s return no earlier than March. It’s not their resilience that’s in question—they’re seasoned spacefarers after all. The real challenge lies in the unexpected duration of their trip, which has stretched them across almost the full calendar year from summer of one year to spring of the next.
Back on Earth, there have been countless events and moments they’re missing out on. They won’t be able to catch Taylor Swift’s explosive Eras tour as it sweeps through Europe, the U.S., and up to Canada. Though, considering their interstellar travel, a mere trip abroad might have seemed like a quick jaunt.
They weren’t around for the debut of Moo Deng, the adorable baby pygmy hippo that’s become a viral delight beyond her home in Thailand. In late October, another pygmy hippo, Haggis, captured hearts at the Edinburgh Zoo in Scotland. Thanks to onboard Wi-Fi, they might have glimpsed these charming creatures, but experiencing such joys firsthand is irreplaceable.
Significant political changes have also unfolded. President Biden’s withdrawal from his re-election bid and Kamala Harris stepping up as the major party’s first woman of color nominated for president are monumental shifts they missed in person. However, from the outlook of space, they avoided the barrage of political ads and commentary. And, thanks to Texas law, they still exercised their right to vote remotely.
Culture-wise, they missed the “brat” summer brought to life by Charli XCX—a phenomenon that seemed to elude many earthlings as well. They also couldn’t partake in the splendor of the Summer Olympics in Paris, the Dodgers clinching the World Series with Shohei Ohtani, or the theatrical delight of singing along to “Wicked” at the cinema.
These astronauts have also missed personal milestones. Jimmy Carter celebrated his centennial and later passed away, leaving a legacy that spanned decades. Williams turned 59 in space, eschewing a possible party with loved ones on Earth, while Wilmore missed the beginnings of important school years for both his daughters—a senior in high school and a college sophomore.
Yet, amidst missing all that life on Earth entailed, they were spared the undesirable parts: heartaches and somber news cycles. And still, the awe of space remains ever-present, even when grappling with mundane tasks like fixing a spacecraft toilet. Our hope for Williams and Wilmore is they touch down in time for the coming spring’s natural splendor, be it the cherry blossoms in Washington, D.C., the jacarandas in L.A., or whatever landscape inspires them next. Here’s to their safe journey home and the beauty awaiting them.
