Two American astronauts who should have only been in space for eight days, two months ago, will have to spend another six months on board the International Space Station (ISS) until they can return to Earth on a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft in February. For one of them, his devout Christian faith is helping him and his family throughout the ordeal. The other is a Hindu who says she is more spiritual than religious.
Serious technical issues with the Boeing Starliner which took Barry ‘Butch’ Wilmore and Sunita ‘Suni’ Williams to the ISS mean NASA will try to bring the spacecraft back to Earth ‘un-crewed’ because of the potential risks to anyone on board. It has experienced leaks of helium which pushes fuel into the propulsion system, as well as problems with several thrusters.
Boeing was awarded a A$6 billion NASA contract to provide commercial space flights for its astronauts. This was its first attempt at a crewed mission. Previous un-crewed Boeing flights have also suffered technical problems. SpaceX has so far sent nine crewed flights to space for NASA on a smaller contract of around $4 billion.
NASA said Mr. Wilmore, 61, and Ms. Williams, 58, both fully supported the plans for their later return and would spend the next few months carrying out scientific work, space maintenance and possibly doing some spacewalks.
Mr. Wilmore’s wife Deanna recently said her husband is content under whatever circumstances, knowing the Lord is in control. The astronaut who is an elder in his Baptist church in Houston told reporters prior to his launch in June that he and his family were trusting in God, come what may. “Our families have been a part of this from the beginning. As far as preparing them, they’re prepared. We trust in a sovereign God. Whatever the plan is, we’re ready for it, whatever that might be,” he declared.
The retired US Navy captain who has worked with the Answers in Genesis ministry, will miss plenty of big moments back home, including Christmas, his 30th wedding anniversary, most of his youngest daughter Logan’s senior year of high school and his eldest daughter Daryn’s theatre performances in college. Regardless, the Wilmore family continues to rest in God’s faithfulness, knowing that He has a plan.
“Most kids growing up mention the idea [of becoming an astronaut] once or twice, but nothing ever comes of it,” Mr. Whitmore said in 2017, following his second space flight. “But here I am, and I’ve had the chance to experience leaving the planet. I believe in God’s sovereign plan and purpose, and it’s humbling He allows me to have this opportunity,” he reflected.
“Faith in the life of an astronaut is eminently important. They are dealing and working with things that the rest of us cannot necessarily wrap our heads around,” said Pastor Wencil Pavlovsky of Saint Paul the Apostle Catholic Church in Houston. He’s had at least 36 parishioners who were once astronauts, even gifting one with blessings from the altar to serve as a reminder that God is always near.
Pastor Pavlovsky and his parishioners know the importance of praying over every space mission. “We are connected in an absolutely fascinating way with what goes on in the rest of the universe,” he told CBN News.
Image: NASA (Aboard ISS: Suni Williams is centre top, Barry Williams is centre bottom)
