Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore, both experienced NASA astronauts, are part of a larger plan to maintain a continuous human presence in space. However, their specific mission durations and how they will survive in space until 2025 depend on several factors:
- International Space Station (ISS): If they are assigned to missions aboard the ISS, their survival and well-being are supported by the station’s systems. The ISS has been continuously occupied since November 2000, and its life-support systems are designed to sustain crew members for extended periods. The station provides food, water, air, and waste management.
- Crew Rotation: Astronauts typically spend about 6 months to a year in space, and their time on the ISS is usually part of a rotation with other crew members. This rotation allows for regular crew changes, ensuring that no single astronaut is in space for an excessively long period.
- Spacecraft and Resupply Missions: Resupply missions and spacecraft, like SpaceX’s Dragon or Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner, regularly deliver necessary supplies, equipment, and scientific experiments to the ISS. This ensures that astronauts have the resources they need and that any issues can be addressed promptly.
- Health and Well-being: Astronauts undergo rigorous medical evaluations before their missions and receive regular health check-ups while in space. NASA and its partners have protocols in place to monitor their health, address any issues, and provide support as needed.
- Training and Preparedness: Before their missions, astronauts receive extensive training to prepare them for living and working in space. This includes training in emergency procedures, handling equipment, and maintaining physical and mental health.
If Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore are expected to stay in space until 2025, it would likely involve a series of missions with crew rotations and support from space agencies and partners.