NASA astronauts discuss mission from space station on Sept. 13

On September 9, 2024, NASA announced that astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams would participate in an Earth to space call on September 13 at 2:15 p.m. EDT. This event will take place aboard the International Space Station, where the astronauts are currently stationed as part of the Expedition 71/72 crew. They launched on June 5, 2024, aboard Boeing's Starliner spacecraft, arriving at the space station the following day. Due to a decision to return Starliner uncrewed, Wilmore and Williams will remain in orbit until February 2025. The astronauts' return will occur aboard the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft during NASA's SpaceX Crew-9 mission, which will also include two other crew members. The upcoming news conference will be streamed on various platforms, including NASA+, the NASA app, and the agency's website, allowing the public to engage with the astronauts' experiences in space. Media representatives interested in participating in the call must contact NASA's Johnson Space Center by September 12, 2024. They are required to dial in at least ten minutes before the event to ask questions. This initiative highlights NASA's commitment to transparency and public engagement regarding its missions and the ongoing research conducted aboard the space station. The event serves as an opportunity for the astronauts to share insights about their mission, the challenges of living in space, and the scientific research being conducted. It underscores the importance of international collaboration in space exploration and the role of astronauts in advancing our understanding of life beyond Earth.