Sunita Williams refutes claims of being 'abandoned' in space
What's the story
NASA astronaut Sunita Williams has refuted claims that she and her colleague Barry "Butch" Wilmore have been "virtually abandoned" in space.
The accusation was leveled by US President Donald Trump, after their mission was extended from just over a week to more than nine months.
In an interview with CBS Evening News, Williams said, "I don't think I'm abandoned. I don't think we're stuck up here."
Mission impact
Williams highlights mission's scientific contributions
Williams stressed on the scientific contributions of their long stay on the International Space Station (ISS).
She said, "We're in a posture...where we have the International Space Station fully manned and doing what the taxpayers wanted, to do world-class science." She said she was honored to be part of this team.
NASA is now finalizing plans for their return to Earth around March 19.
Return strategy
NASA plans early return for the astronauts
The early return of Williams and Wilmore, along with their two ISS crewmates, Crew 9 commander Nick Hague and cosmonaut Alexander Gorbunov, depends on switching to a different Crew Dragon spacecraft.
This switch is required as the original SpaceX ferry ship is delayed in getting ready for its maiden flight.
After a week-long handover to acclimatize their replacements with space station operations, the team will return home on the same Crew Dragon that brought Hague and Gorbunov last September.
Mission challenges
Extended space mission due to Starliner's technical issues
The original mission, launched on June 5, was supposed to last a little over a week.
However, Boeing's Starliner spacecraft encountered propulsion problems and helium leaks soon after launch. This resulted in a prolonged period of tests and analysis.
Ultimately, NASA opted against bringing Wilmore and Williams back aboard the faulty Starliner due to high risks.
They were instead kept on the ISS until Hague and Gorbunov's return journey could be arranged at the end of their expedition.
Political debate
Political controversy surrounds extended mission
The extension of the Starliner crew's mission has sparked political controversy.
Last month, Trump blamed the Joe Biden administration for leaving the astronauts in space for an extended period. He urged SpaceX founder Elon Musk to expedite their return.
However, NASA clarified that plans for an extended stay and return journey were already in place since last September, when the Crew 9 Dragon was launched with two empty seats reserved for Wilmore and Williams's return.