SpaceX crew Dragon successfully rescues stranded NASA astronauts Sunita Williams, Wilmore at ISS
The SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule, tasked with rescuing stranded astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, has successfully docked at the International Space Station (ISS).
This docking brings relief to Williams and Wilmore, two NASA astronauts who have been stuck in orbit since June due to safety concerns with their initial spacecraft, the Boeing Starliner.
Originally scheduled for a short week-long mission, the astronauts' stay on the ISS was prolonged after the Starliner experienced thruster failures and helium leaks shortly after launch. NASA deemed it too dangerous for the astronauts to return in the Starliner, which was sent back to Earth empty earlier this month.
The Crew Dragon, launched from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on Saturday, carried NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Alexander Gorbunov. The docking occurred around 5:30 p.m. ET on Sunday. SpaceX CEO Elon Musk confirmed the event on Twitter, stating, "Dragon has reached @Space_Station."
Upon the arrival of Hague and Gorbunov, Sunita Williams, now commander of the ISS, greeted them with excitement: "I just want to say welcome to our new compadres." Their arrival increases the ISS crew to nine members, after adjustments were made due to the extended stay of Williams and Wilmore.
To ensure Williams and Wilmore can return to Earth, NASA opted to use the SpaceX Crew Dragon, removing astronauts Zena Cardman and Stephanie Wilson from the Crew-9 mission. This adjustment allows four astronauts, who have been aboard the ISS since March, to prepare for their return to Earth in another SpaceX capsule next week, reducing the station’s crew back to the standard seven members.
Despite their extended mission, Williams and Wilmore, experienced NASA astronauts and retired Navy captains, have adapted well. They have continued with routine maintenance and scientific research on the ISS. Their return is expected in late February, making their mission over eight months long—far beyond the originally planned eight days.
Hague, who is leading the rescue effort, acknowledged the complexities of the mission, saying, "We've got a dynamic challenge ahead of us. We know each other and we're professionals, and we step up and do what's asked of us."
Dragon has reached @Space_Station https://t.co/p0kEkJklnK
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 29, 2024
Welcome, #Crew9! After floating through the Dragon’s hatch, our new arrivals join the crew aboard the @Space_Station. They’ll spend five months conducting @ISS_Research and maintenance on the orbiting lab. pic.twitter.com/DJX7f9vxlg
— NASA (@NASA) September 29, 2024
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AIMIM wins Malegaon Central seat by 162 votes
Malegaon (Maharashtra), Nov 23: In a closely contested election, Mohammad Ismail Abdul Khalique of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) has retained the Malegaon Central assembly seat, winning by a razor-thin margin of 162 votes.
This victory in the north Maharashtra constituency marks a significant turnaround for Khalique, who previously enjoyed a commanding lead in the 2019 elections, winning by over one lakh votes.
Khalique, an Islamic scholar, received a total of 1,09,653 votes this time, narrowly defeating his nearest rival, Asif Shaikh Rasheed of the Indian Secular Largest Assembly of Maharashtra party, who got 1,09,491 votes.
There were a total of 13 candidates contesting in this Muslim dominated constituency. Barring Khalique and Rasheed, two other candidates -- Shaan-e-Hind Nihal Ahmed of Samajwadi Party and Ejaz Baig Aziz Baig managed below 10,000 votes. Other remaining candidates were below 1,000 votes.
This election marks Khalique's third term as an MLA. He initially represented the Malegaon Central seat in 2009 as a member of the Jan Surajya Shakti party.
However, Khalique faced a setback in the 2014 elections when he contested under the banner of the Nationalist Congress Party and lost.
His return to the assembly in 2019 under the AIMIM banner solidified his political presence, and despite the significantly reduced margin this year, he has once again emerged victorious.
The results highlight the competitive nature of the Malegaon Central constituency and underscore Khalique's resilience in maintaining his position amidst changing political dynamics.
