Indian-origin astronaut Sunita Williams dances upon arrival at space station | Watch Video
PTC News Desk: Sunita Williams, an Indian astronaut, and her crewmate, Butch Wilmore, docked the Boeing Starliner with the International Space Station (ISS) securely on Thursday. On her first journey, the 59-year-old astronaut made history by being the first female to pilot and test a newly crewed spacecraft.
Ms. Williams, who has already made three trips to the International Space Station (ISS), is returning with an idol of Lord Ganesh and the Bhagavad Gita.
She conducted a short dance and gave hugs to the other seven astronauts on board the International Space Station to commemorate her arrival at the station.
Hugs all around! The Expedition 71 crew greets Butch Wilmore and @Astro_Suni aboard @Space_Station after #Starliner docked at 1:34 p.m. ET on June 6. pic.twitter.com/wQZAYy2LGH — Boeing Space (@BoeingSpace) June 6, 2024
An ancient ISS custom was the ringing of a bell to greet Ms. Williams and Mr. Wilmore.
Speaking about her "dance party," Sunita Williams stated, "That's the way to get things going."
Listen to the @Space_Station crew's remarks welcoming #Starliner Crew Flight Test commander Butch Wilmore and pilot @Astro_Suni to ISS after entering today at 3:45 p.m. ET. pic.twitter.com/2TGVNQW89r — Boeing Space (@BoeingSpace) June 6, 2024
She referred to her colleagues as "another family" and expressed her gratitude for "such a great welcome".
The initial crew to fly Starliner is made up of Mr. Willmore and Ms. Williams.
Starliner to the stars! ✨
At 10:52am ET, @BoeingSpace #Starliner lifted off on a @ULALaunch Atlas V for the first time with @NASA_Astronauts aboard. This Crew Flight Test aims to certify the spacecraft for routine space travel to and from the @Space_Station. pic.twitter.com/WDQKOrE5B6 — NASA (@NASA) June 5, 2024
About 26 hours after taking off from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, they were able to link the Boeing spacecraft with the International Space Station.
Before docking, the two NASA astronauts watched as Starliner performed a series of autonomous maneuvers to gradually approach the orbiting laboratory.
A few minor helium leaks and other mechanical issues caused an hour-long delay in docking.
The crew tested several things during route to the International Space Station (ISS), including piloting Starliner by hand for the first spacecraft ever. They will help with numerous tests and carry out scientific research during their roughly week-long stay in space.
They are supposed to land on land, not in the sea, when they arrive home on the Starliner.
Docking confirmed!@BoeingSpace's #Starliner docked to the forward-facing port of the @Space_Station's Harmony module at 1:34pm ET (1734 UTC). @NASA_Astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams will soon make their way into the orbital laboratory, where they'll spend about a week. pic.twitter.com/BtcXA4Vq4t — NASA (@NASA) June 6, 2024
NASA has long sought a substitute for the SpaceX Crew Module for astronaut transportation, and the Boeing Starliner, which is a component of the commercial crew program, appears to be that solution.
Sunita Williams Says Flying To The Space Station Is "Like Going Back Home"
Prior to takeoff, Sunita Williams acknowledged that she was a little anxious, but she insisted that she felt no anxiety about piloting a new spacecraft.
"When I reach the International Space Station, it will be like going back home," she had stated.
Seven crew members can board the SUV-sized Starliner, which was designed with Ms. Williams' assistance.
Given the chance to give the spacecraft a name, she chose "Calypso," evoking the renowned vessel that renowned French oceanographer and filmmaker Jacques-Yves Cousteau used to explore the waters when she was still a student.
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- With inputs from agencies
