This Spacecraft Will Bring Us Home, No Problem,' Says Williams In Address To Earth From Space

Washington: Indian-American astronaut Sunita Williams' return to Earth has been delayed, igniting fears of her safety. However, American space agency NASA confirmed that Sunita Williams was safe. 

The NASA astronaut discussed the space agency's mission on Wednesday in a LIVE address on July 10 at 8:30 PM along with her crew mate Butch Wilmore.

Watch all the live updates here: 

• The astronauts said they expect to return once thruster testing is complete here on Earth. They said they're not complaining about getting extra time in orbit, and are enjoying helping the station crew

• Williams and Wilmore said they were confident that Boeing's space capsule would return them safely, despite breakdowns.

• We still had a lot of checks for Starliner and all went really well. One of them was practising for a safe haven to ensure that we had all the emergency equipment to get into our spacecraft and use it, says Williams 
   
• The spacecraft has performed ‘unbelievable,’ says Wilmore while speaking about the first couple of days into the mission

• You can see the American flag behind us. The space station is a great place to be in and to work, says Wilmore 

• This is the road of the test. This is a tough business that we are in. Human space flight is not easy. There have been multiple issues in the spacecrafts that have been designed. But we are confident, says Butch Wilmore 

• We are having a great time. It feels good to be home, says Williams 

•  ‘This spacecraft will bring us home, no problem,’ says Williams 

• ‘We have been through a lot of simulations in the spacecraft. I have a really good feeling in my heart,’ says Williams

• The launch was spectacular, it was truly amazing. The precision of the spacecraft was amazing, says Butch Wilmore stationed at Starliner

• Williams is expected to address Earth shortly from space.

• NASA ordered the Starliner and SpaceX Dragon capsules a decade ago for astronaut flights to and from the space station, paying each company billions of dollars. 

• Reportedly, there are nine members at the International Space Station.

• Reports said that Williams helped dissemble and empty racks for future missions while Wilmore held load trash and discarded gear inside the Cygnus spacecraft,
  
   
• A new date for their return is yet to be announced.

• The Starliner is capable of remaining docked to the space station for up to 45 days. However, now that over 35 days have already elapsed, the spacecraft has around 10 days left to return safely to Earth. 

• SpaceX's first taxi flight with astronauts was in 2020. Boeing's first crew flight was repeatedly delayed because of software and other issues. 

• Their delay in returning to Earth has been attributed to a series of helium leaks on the Boeing Starliner spacecraft, which NASA engineers are currently addressing.

• Amid fear about the safety of the crew that flew on board the Boeing Starliner spacecraft to the space station on June 5, American space agency NASA said the Indian-origin astronaut was safe and continued helping with research and maintenance of the International Space Station.

• So far, Williams and her crewmate Butch Wilmore have already spent over a month in the space station on a trip, which was originally supposed to be a 10-day journey. 

• Their return was first deferred to June 26 and then postponed again last week to an undetermined date.

• Initially, NASA astronauts were scheduled to return to Earth via the Starliner on June 22.

• Williams and Barry “Butch” Wilmore launched towards the International Space Station (ISS) on June 5 aboard a Boeing Starliner.

(with inputs from AP, PTI)