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NASA astronaut Sunita Williams has reassured her mother, Bonnie Pandya, that “everything will be fine” during a call from space.
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Williams and fellow astronaut Butch Wilmore will have to stay in space until February 2025 due to issues with the Boeing Starliner spacecraft.
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Williams’ family members, including her mother and husband, have expressed understanding and relief that NASA is prioritizing safety.
NASA astronaut Sunita Williams has reassured her mother, Bonnie Pandya, that she is safe and “everything will be fine” during a recent call from space. Williams and fellow astronaut Butch Wilmore will have to stay in space until February 2025 due to issues with the Boeing Starliner spacecraft.
Williams’ mother, Bonnie Pandya, expressed understanding and relief that NASA is prioritizing safety. She noted that she has been an “astronaut mom” for 20 years and trusts NASA’s decision to keep her daughter in space until it is safe for her to return. Williams’ husband, Daniele Williams, also expressed relief that NASA is not rushing her return, saying that she is in her “happy place”.
The Boeing Starliner spacecraft has experienced issues with faulty thrusters and helium leaks, making it unfit for astronauts. As a result, Williams and Wilmore will return to Earth in February 2025 in SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft, while the Starliner will make an uncrewed return.
