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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Cong 'pocketed' Rs 150 cr per annum from Assam healthcare budget during 15 yrs of rule: Shah
Guwahati (PTI): Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday alleged that the Congress, during its previous 15 years of rule in Assam, "pocketed" Rs 150 crore per annum from the state healthcare budget.
Inaugurating and laying the foundation stone for healthcare projects worth Rs 2,092 crore in Assam, Shah said the BJP works for affordable healthcare for all sections of society and lauded Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for bringing the state's medical facilities at par with states like Gujarat, Maharashtra and Karnataka.
"Assam's healthcare was in shambles 10 years ago as Congress worked only for the financial health of its leaders' families," he said.
Attacking Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, he said that no Indian supports his acts of "defaming" the country in his bid to oppose the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
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He lambasted the Congress for its "shirtless" protest at the recent AI summit in New Delhi and Gandhi for having 'chai-pakora' on the stairs of Parliament House.
"We were also in the opposition and staged protests against the government, but there is a right platform for it," he said.
"Parliament is a sacred seat of democracy. Its stairs should not be used for even dharnas. And Rahul Gandhi was having 'chai-pakora' there. Doesn't he know where to have his breakfast?" asked the Union minister.
Shah inaugurated the Rs 675-crore Pragjyotishpur Medical College and Hospital in Guwahati, at a programme held on its premises.
He also virtually inaugurated two cancer centres at Golaghat and Tinsukia, both under Assam Cancer Care Foundation (ACCF), constructed at a cost of Rs 135 crore each.
Shah virtually laid the foundation stone for super-speciality hospitals at Diphu Medical College and Hospital (Rs 220 crore), Jorhat Medical College and Hospital (Rs 310 crore), and Barpeta Medical College and Hospital (Rs 284 crore).
The foundation stone for a Rs 218-crore Swasthya Bhawan in Guwahati, and the Abhayapuri District Hospital (Rs 115 crore) were also laid by the Union home minister.
Shah arrived here on Saturday evening on a two-day visit to Assam, his fourth visit to the northeastern state in four months.
