Originally scheduled to return after a shorter stay, the duo, who arrived at the ISS on June 5, 2024, aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft, may now be required to remain in orbit due to unforeseen technical complications, as reported by multiple media outlets.

The prospect of an extended stay raises serious concerns about the long-term health and well-being of the astronauts. The ISS orbits approximately 400 kilometers above Earth, beyond the protection of our planet’s atmosphere and magnetic field. This exposes the crew to elevated levels of solar radiation, which can be harmful over prolonged periods.

According to the European Space Agency, certain areas of the station’s orbit experience radiation levels more than 30 times higher than on Earth, a concern highlighted in a recent CNBC-TV18 report.

Extended exposure to such radiation can lead to a variety of health risks, including an increased likelihood of cancer, tissue damage, and complications with the nervous system. NASA data reveals that sunita williams salary radiation levels on the ISS can range from 50 to 20,000 milli-sieverts—equivalent to receiving between 150 and 6,000 chest X-rays.

Prolonged exposure to microgravity can result in substantial bone and muscle deterioration. NASA has documented that astronauts may lose approximately 1 percent of their bone mass each month, particularly in critical areas such as the lower spine, hips, and femur. This loss of bone density, along with muscle atrophy, can pose serious challenges for the astronauts upon their return to Earth, potentially affecting their mobility and overall health.

In response to these challenges, NASA is actively exploring alternative options to ensure the safe return of Williams and Wilmore. Steve Stich, Manager of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, noted that preparations are underway with SpaceX for a potential return via the Crew Dragon spacecraft. sunita williams net worth

“We have been working with SpaceX to ensure that they are ready to respond on Crew 9. returning Butch and Suni on Crew 9 if we need that,” Stich stated. However, the final decision on the astronauts’ return strategy remains pending.

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“Sustainable aviation fuels are critical to enabling the aviation decarbonisation roadmap.” “We are committed to supporting all efforts that contribute to their global availability at scale,” stated Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury. “The collaboration with DG Fuels supports the emergence of a new technological pathway allowing for the production of SAFs from a broader range of waste and residue sources, initially in the United States, with the potential for large-scale production globally.”

DGF’s fuel production system is fully based on cellulosic waste products, such as logging sector wood waste, and renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar power.

DGF’s plant is expected to have an initial production capacity of 120 million US gallons (454 million litres) of SAF per year on average, saving roughly 1.5 million tonnes of CO2 emissions per year beginning in 2026.

“The DGF team is excited to have finalised this SAF partnership with Airbus,” said Michael Darcy, Chairman and CEO of DG Fuels, “and we look forward to working together to accelerate the initial SAF facility in Louisiana and subsequent scale up at various locations throughout the United States and beyond.”

The collaboration with Airbus advances DG Fuels’ goal of initiating the equity process and making a final investment decision (FID) on the construction of DG Fuels’ first SAF plant in the United States. The judgement is due in early 2024. In this connection, Airbus and DGF have agreed to share a percentage of the first plant’s production to benefit Airbus’ customers.

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