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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CM Siddaramaiah alleges ‘criminal conspiracy’ in Sringeri recount, vows legal action
Bengaluru (PTI): Alleging a “criminal conspiracy” by BJP candidate D N Jeevaraj in the Sringeri Assembly poll recounting, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said the outcome was manipulated after valid postal ballot votes in favour of Congress leader T D Raje Gowda were tampered with during the recounting process.
Following a Karnataka High Court order on an election petition filed by Jeevaraj, challenging Raje Gowda’s election, the reverification and recounting were conducted on Saturday.
After the reverification and recount of postal ballots for the Sringeri Assembly constituency, votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda were reduced by 255, the returning officer said.
A report on the matter has been submitted to the Election Commission of India for further action, the officer added.
Congress leader Raje Gowda had won the 2023 Assembly polls from Sringeri by 201 votes, defeating his nearest rival Jeevaraj.
Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, Siddaramaiah said the High Court had directed the recounting of postal ballots and that irregularities were noticed during the exercise conducted on May 2.
“This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” Siddaramaiah said, alleging that valid votes cast in favour of Raje Gowda were altered after being accepted by counting agents of all parties, including Congress, BJP, and JD(S).
He claimed that during the recounting of postal ballots, 255 votes were initially accepted as valid by all agents but were later tampered with by subordinate officials.
“There is a second mark on the votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda. They had accepted these as valid votes. Subsequently, another mark was made by officials. This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” he said.
When asked who was behind the alleged conspiracy, the CM replied, “It was hatched by Jeevaraj and others. It is planned.”
Siddaramaiah further alleged that the returning officer acted improperly by declaring the result despite the presence of an Election Commission observer during the recounting.
“Immediately after the counting, the returning officer announced the result. He should not have done so; this is against the law,” he said.
He pointed out that Raje Gowda had originally won by 201 votes, but after the recounting, the BJP candidate was declared the winner by 52 votes.
“The BJP has committed a criminal act of conspiracy. This is not vote chori but vote dacoity,” he alleged.
The CM said a police complaint had already been filed by Raje Gowda’s election agent, Sudhir Kumar, and emphasised the need for electoral integrity.
“We want transparency and free and fair elections. That is what our Constitution mandates,” he added.
Stating that the government would pursue legal remedies, Siddaramaiah said, “We are preparing an appeal challenging the returning officer’s announcement in a court of law.”
Responding to a separate query on elections in other states, the CM said there appeared to be an anti-incumbency factor in West Bengal, while results in Tamil Nadu were “surprising,” adding that Vijay’s party was emerging as the largest there.
Following the victory of party candidates in Bagalkote and Davanagere South, Siddaramaiah expressed confidence about future electoral prospects in Karnataka.
“Even in 2028, we will win the Assembly elections. We will come back,” the CM said.
Siddaramaiah added that he would order a forensic examination into the alleged tampering of postal ballots.
