(MENAFN- Live Mint) Will NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore vote for the US Presidential elections from space? The astronauts, who are spending extra time in space, said they plan to cast their ballot in space for the November 5 polls.
Sunita Williams said voting from space is "pretty cool" .
"It's a very important duty that we have as citizens and [I'm] looking forward to being able to vote from space which is pretty cool," Williams said she spoke with the media for the first time after Starliner's departure from the international space station.
Also Read | Sunita Williams's message on Starliner's return: 'We have your backs and...'
Sunita Williams also said that she misses her family and two dogs as she remains part of the crew onboard the International Space Station.
“You asked what we missed, right of course, things we always miss – our families. I miss my two dogs I miss my friends but you know what...I know they understand. I know it's tough on them as well...But everyone understands and everyone is cheering for us to get back,” she added.
Meanwhile, Butch Wilmore said,“I set down my request for a ballot today."
Also Read | NASA: Sunita Williams's 'extended stay', a part of planned mission? Know details
Sunita Williams and Butch Willmore had launched in space onboard Boeing's Starliner spacecraft on June 5. This Starliner test flight marked the first Boeing spaceflight with astronauts.
During its journey towards the space station, Starliner endured a series of thruster failures and helium leaks – prompting a delay in its return from the space, along with the crew.
To ensure the safety of the astronauts on the faulty Starliner, NASA decided to bring back the spacecraft without it's crew on September 6 .
“Uncrewed” Starliner landed safely in the New Mexico desert earlier this month, but Boeing's path forward in NASA's commercial crew program remains uncertain.
Also Read | Life beyond Earth: NASA moves ahead to find a new place for humans to live
Meanwhile, NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore will return from space on a SpaceX craft in February 2025. They are on an extended mission now on the space station. Their mission on Starliner was expected to last for about eight day . However, they will be spending eight months in space before coming back home next year.
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