Astronaut

Find out everything there is to know about astronauts and stay updated on the latest space news with the comprehensive articles, interactive features and space pictures at LiveScience.com. Learn more about these fascinating scientists as they continue to make amazing discoveries.
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NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore were carried away on stretchers after return from space. Here's why that's normal.
By Sharmila Kuthunur last updated
When astronauts return from a prolonged visit to space, they are often carried out of their capsules and placed on stretchers. The 'stranded' astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore were no exception. Here's why.

'Hugely proud': UK Paralympian becomes 1st disabled astronaut to be cleared for ISS mission
By Harry Baker published
Prospective ESA astronaut and former British Paralympian John McFall has passed the medical assessment needed for a long-term stay on the ISS. If selected for a future mission, he will become the first physically disabled person in space.

'Stranded' Starliner astronauts finally have a return date — and it's sooner than expected
By Stephanie Pappas published
NASA will send astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams home from the International Space Station early on a previously used SpaceX Dragon space capsule, not on a brand-new one, the agency announced.

'Stranded' NASA astronaut Suni Williams photographed from Earth during record-breaking spacewalk. Can you spot her?
By Harry Baker published
A photographer on Earth has captured an incredible telescope image of NASA astronaut Suni Williams outside of the International Space Station, as it passed by roughly 250 miles overhead.

NASA astronauts' return to Earth delayed until at least 'late March' 2025
By Stephanie Pappas published
Due to a delay with SpaceX's Dragon capsule, NASA's Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, who were meant to spend 10 days in space in June 2024, will now not return to Earth until late March 2025 at the earliest, NASA announced.

Space photo of the week: Astronaut spots 2 nearby galaxies from SpaceX capsule
By Jamie Carter published
NASA astronaut Don Pettit imaged the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds as the International Space Station cruised 260 miles above the Pacific Ocean.

100th woman in space, Emily Calandrelli, stands up to 'small men' on the internet: 'I should have expected this.'
By Pandora Dewan published
The astronaut and MIT engineer's monumental milestone was marred by misogyny: "Instead of being on cloud nine, I’m crying in my seat."

NASA warns of potential 'catastrophic failure' on leaking ISS — but Russia doesn't want to fix it
By Joanna Thompson published
A five-year leak on a Russian module of the International Space Station has gotten worse over time. Now, NASA and Russia's Roscosmos space agency disagree just how bad it is.

New ISS images showcase auroras, moon and space station in glorious photos
By Elizabeth Howell published
The moon's glow meets a stunning aurora in a new astronaut image taken from space.

Fixing Boeing's leaky Starliner — and returning NASA's stranded astronauts to Earth — is much harder than it sounds
By Ian Whittaker published
Astronauts are stuck on the International Space Station after yet more problems with Boeing's beleaguered Starliner. Here's why an investigation into the issues is so difficult, even for NASA.
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