Here's How Two Astronauts Stranded in Space Are Spending Their Time

Two astronauts have gotten stuck in space, and given the present circumstances will not be able to return to Earth, until next year.  Butch Wilmore, 61, and Sunita Williams, 58 reached space on June 5 for an eight-day mission, People reported.

Due to some faults with their Starliner spacecraft, the duo is now stranded in space. Both Wilmore and Williams are veteran astronauts and have been on multiple missions.

Wilmore has logged 178 days in space, NASA reported. His first space expedition was on September 25, 2014, and continued till March 12, 2015.

For Williams, this is her third mission, after getting selected as an astronaut by the organization in 1998. Throughout two missions, Williams has spent a total of 322 days in space.

Wilmore and Williams were aboard the Boeing Starliner and were expected to return after a week. However, technical difficulties altered the plan. At present, both astronauts are living with seven other individuals, who are already housed in the International Space Station (ISS).

Both of them are now passing the time, helping other astronauts with projects. Williams also spends time focussing on her fitness in ISS, People reported. She recently completed a seven-mile Falmouth Road Race while in a harness on a treadmill.

All the astronauts aboard ISS are facing difficulties because of this sudden change of plan, People reported. The ISS was not built to hold these many individuals, and accommodation is one issue the astronauts are facing at night.

ISS just has six private enclosures, within its facility, and therefore Wilmore is dozing off in a sleeping bag in the Japanese Space Agency's Kibo module at night, Time reported. "Butch is going to have to rough it a little bit," Williams shared before the orbiter's launch and when the trip was planned for eight days.

Apart from the sleeping arrangements, shortage of clothes and rations had also become an issue for the stranded astronauts, People reported. The duo had brought supplies for just over a week. Due to the change of plans, they are now facing shortages.

To help the duo, NASA sent an 8,200-lb. resupply spacecraft, containing additional clothes, food as well as fuel.