Sunita Williams describes space station return as 'like going back home'

Indian-origin astronaut Sunita Williams is on her third mission to space, aboard the Boeing Starliner spacecraft named "Calypso."

Williams likened her journey to the International Space Station (ISS) as "like going back home." The spacecraft is expected to dock with the ISS today at 9:45 pm.

The spacecraft, named after the famed vessel used by French oceanographer Jacques-Yves Cousteau, successfully lifted off on June 5 from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.

The launch, conducted using an Atlas V rocket, was the Starliner’s third attempt and was executed flawlessly, although NASA reported detecting "three helium leaks" during the ascent. Despite these issues, NASA confirmed that the Starliner is safe and en route to the ISS, with experts closely monitoring the situation.

Williams, 59, expressed a mix of nervousness and excitement prior to the launch, particularly as this was her first flight in a new spacecraft that she helped design alongside engineers from NASA and Boeing. "When I reach the International Space Station, it will be like going back home," she said, reflecting on her previous missions.

Alongside her on this mission is astronaut Butch Wilmore. Together, they tested the manual piloting capabilities of the Starliner, which is typically an autonomous vehicle. During approximately two hours of free-flight demonstrations, they used a hand controller to maneuver the spacecraft, with Wilmore noting the precision of the manual controls.

The Starliner, which is the most modern crew module to be flown, can accommodate up to seven crew members. However, only two astronauts are on board for this test flight. The goal is to dock at the forward-facing port of the ISS's Harmony module, where Williams and Wilmore will stay for about a week. During their time on the ISS, they will conduct various tests on the spacecraft and its subsystems to aid in the final certification of the transportation system for NASA's Commercial Crew Program.

The docking process will involve the Starliner performing a series of maneuvers and pauses as it approaches the ISS. The spacecraft will use its star tracker cameras to navigate, initially spotting the ISS as a bright point of light among the stars. Once close enough, it will enter the 200-meter "keep out sphere," pausing until cleared for the final approach and docking.

Williams' contribution to this mission extends beyond her technical role. She has a school named after her in Needham, Massachusetts—the Sunita Williams Elementary School. She is also scheduled to engage with students from the school in a live conversation from the ISS on June 10.