Stranded but safe.
3 months ago, astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore embarked on a journey to the International Space Station (ISS), expecting to return in eight days. Instead, due to safety concerns with their Boeing Starliner, NASA extended their stay to 2025. Now, they share a space equivalent to a six-bedroom house with nine others.
The ISS, 400km above Earth, is a home like no other, where daily life involves unique challenges. From sleeping in phone-booth-sized compartments to the intricate process of working, exercising, and even cleaning in zero gravity, astronauts must adapt to an environment that pushes the human body to its limits.
As former astronaut Nicole Stott explains, “Space puts your bones and muscles into an accelerated aging process,” and every movement is planned, from conducting scientific experiments to avoiding floating grease balls during meals.
While space may seem lonely, the ISS is anything but. Commander Chris Hadfield describes it as “peaceful” and full of moments where astronauts find solace, whether gazing out at Earth or reflecting on the vastness of the universe. Even mundane tasks take on new meaning, with the space smell—created by the reaction of free radicals with oxygen—becoming a constant reminder of their unique location.
According to The BBC, despite being isolated from Earth, astronauts maintain strong bonds with their crewmates. They spend two hours a day exercising to combat the effects of zero gravity and share meals, often reconstituted or packaged foods, with some favorites like Japanese curries. Crews are carefully selected for compatibility, reducing the risk of conflicts in the confined environment.
For Williams and Wilmore, their extended stay isn’t a burden.
As Hadfield notes:
“The greatest gift you can give a professional astronaut is to let them stay longer.”
Living in space, despite its challenges, remains a dream fulfilled for these explorers, who see it not as a place of isolation, but one of deep connection to Earth and humanity.
