RNS: NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, currently aboard the International Space Station (ISS), have announced their intention to cast their votes in the upcoming US Presidential election from space. This historic event will mark a rare milestone in space travel history.
During a recent media interaction, Wilmore revealed that he has already requested his ballot. “They should get it to us in the coming weeks,” he told BBC. Williams expressed her excitement about the unique voting experience, calling it “pretty cool.” She also shared her feelings of missing her family on Earth but noted that they are supportive and eagerly awaiting her return.
Since 1997, astronauts have had the ability to vote from space, following a Texas legislature bill that allowed for this provision. David Wolf was the first American to exercise this right in the same year, according to the Washington Examiner.
The astronauts’ announcement comes just a week after Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft returned to Earth without them. The Starliner, which landed safely at White Sands Space Harbor in New Mexico at 10:01 p.m. MDT on September 6, had departed on June 5 with Williams and Wilmore aboard for NASA’s Boeing Crewed Flight Test. The mission encountered technical issues, including helium leaks and problems with the spacecraft’s reaction control thrusters.
Despite the return of Starliner without its crew, NASA and Boeing have hailed the flight test as a valuable learning experience. Ken Bowersox, Associate Administrator for NASA’s Space Operations Mission Directorate, praised the team’s efforts and emphasized the continued collaboration with Boeing towards certifying Starliner for future crew missions.
Williams and Wilmore will remain aboard the ISS as part of Expedition 71/72 and are scheduled to return to Earth in February 2025 with NASA’s SpaceX Crew-9 mission.
