In a press conference, Wilmore shared his experience with the voting process. “I sent down my request for a ballot today, as a matter of fact, and they should get it to us in a couple of weeks,” he said. “It’s a very important role that we all play as citizens to be included in those elections, and NASA makes it very easy for us to do that. We’re excited for that opportunity.”
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Williams echoed Wilmore’s thoughts, highlighting the importance of their participation in the election. “It’s a very important duty, and I’m looking forward to voting from space,” she remarked.
Voting from space became a reality in 1997 when astronaut David Wolf cast his ballot from the Mir Space Station. More recently, in 2020, NASA astronaut Kate Rubins also voted from the ISS during her mission.
The process for voting from space is straightforward. Ballots are electronically transmitted to the ISS, where astronauts fill them out and send them back to Earth. Once completed, the ballots are securely encrypted and transmitted to NASA’s Mission Control Center in Houston. From there, the encrypted ballots are forwarded to the appropriate county clerk for processing.
Delayed Return After Technical Setbacks
Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore had originally been scheduled for a brief eight-day mission aboard Boeing’s Starliner capsule. However, technical difficulties, including thruster malfunctions and significant helium leaks, postponed their return, and NASA extended their stay until February 2025. The delay has forced the astronauts to remain on the ISS for several more months while awaiting a SpaceX capsule that will bring them back to Earth.
Reflecting on the unexpected extension of their mission, Wilmore addressed the press, saying, “This is not an easy business. Eight days or eight months—whatever it is, we are going to do our best job. That’s the mindset.” He emphasized their readiness to handle such delays, thanks to their years of training at NASA.
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Williams acknowledged feeling some initial anxiety about the longer mission, especially due to personal plans with her family. “I think I was fretting more about that,” she admitted. “Like the things we had planned for this fall or winter… but everybody was on board, and that prepared us.”
The astronauts have been on the ISS since June 2024, following the decision to delay their return in light of the issues encountered by the Starliner spacecraft. While the capsule successfully completed its return to Earth, the complications have raised questions about Boeing’s future in NASA’s Commercial Crew Program.
Busy Days at the ISS
Despite the delays, Williams and Wilmore have continued their work aboard the ISS. Both astronauts are fully integrated into the crew, which includes members from various space agencies. They are involved in daily maintenance activities, scientific experiments, and the ongoing mission to support space research.
The astronauts recently welcomed a new Soyuz spacecraft carrying two Russian cosmonauts and one American astronaut, temporarily increasing the station’s population to 12. This addition of crew members has ensured that tasks are spread evenly and that the ISS continues to function smoothly during its busy days.
As their extended mission progresses, the astronauts remain optimistic and focused. “We are tasked, and we learn and we train to handle all types of situations,” Wilmore said. “This is something Suni and I have done for an entire career. Whatever it is, we’re going to do the very best job we can do every single day because that’s what the folks who do this type of job have to do.”
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Boeing’s First Crewed Spaceflight: A Challenging Start
The mission that Williams and Wilmore embarked on marked Boeing’s first crewed spaceflight as part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program. The company had been contracted, along with SpaceX, to transport astronauts to the ISS following the retirement of NASA’s Space Shuttle program. While SpaceX has been flying astronauts since 2020, Boeing faced challenges with this mission.
Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft encountered several technical problems during the mission, including thruster failures and helium leaks. These issues delayed the astronauts’ return and forced NASA to reassess its reliance on Boeing for future missions. The Starliner capsule ultimately made a safe return to Earth, but the difficulties it encountered have cast uncertainty over Boeing’s future in the program.
Williams acknowledged the unpredictability of test flights during the press briefing. “A test flight means that we’re probably going to find some stuff,” she said. “We’ve done as much as we can to look at the envelope that we’re going to operate in, but this is the first time we’ve had humans in space in Starliner, and we did find stuff. We made the right decisions, and we’re here, and that’s how things go in this business.”
Looking Ahead: Return Set for February 2025
NASA has scheduled Williams and Wilmore’s return aboard a SpaceX capsule in February 2025. The capsule, which will return with a reduced crew, will have seats available for both astronauts.
Until their return, the two continue their work aboard the ISS, embodying the resilience and adaptability required for extended space missions. Their participation in the upcoming U.S. election serves as a testament to their commitment to both their mission and their roles as U.S. citizens, demonstrating how technology allows even those in space to remain connected to Earth.
As NASA continues to innovate and collaborate with commercial partners, Williams and Wilmore’s mission highlights both the challenges and opportunities in space exploration.