The astronauts considered "lost" in 2024, based on the reference provided, are Butch Wilmore and Sunita "Suni" Williams.
The Situation
- Delayed Return: These two astronauts were aboard the International Space Station (ISS) for months longer than initially planned.
- Thruster Failure: Their return was delayed due to thruster failures on their capsule, which rendered it unsafe for piloted return to Earth.
- Unmanned Return: Eventually, their capsule was returned to Earth remotely, without astronauts on board, highlighting the seriousness of the safety issues.
The Specifics
Here’s a more detailed look:
| Astronaut Name | Status | Reason for Delay |
|---|---|---|
| Butch Wilmore | Delayed Return to Earth | Thruster failures on return capsule |
| Sunita "Suni" Williams | Delayed Return to Earth | Thruster failures on return capsule |
Why They Were Considered "Lost" (in context)
It's crucial to understand that while they were not literally lost, their situation was considered exceptional due to the prolonged and unexpected stay on the ISS. This unexpected extension of their mission and the inability to return them in the expected manner using their original capsule could lead to them being described as "lost" in some contexts. They were effectively delayed on the ISS due to the capsule's thruster issues and were in an unprecedented situation until their remote return was implemented.
