NASA’s Indian-origin astronaut Sunita Williams and her team of eight crew members aboard the International Space Station (ISS) are facing mounting challenges due to the detection of a space bug that poses health risks to the astronauts. 

NASA scientists have identified a multi-drug resistant bacteria known as ‘Enterobacter bugandensis’ on the ISS. This bacterium has adapted and become more virulent within the closed environment of the space station. This particular bacterium, often referred to as a ‘superbug’, is resistant to multiple drugs and is known to cause infections in the human respiratory system. 

"In a new scientific paper funded by an Ames Space Biology grant, Principal Investigator Dr. Kasthuri Venkateswaran of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory studied strains of Enterobacter bugandensis isolated from the International Space Station (ISS). Thirteen strains of E. bugandensis, a bacterium notorious for its multi-drug resistance, were isolated from the ISS," stated a NASA report. 

Indian-origin astronaut Sunita Williams made history by flying to space for the third time on 5th June, along with a colleague. They became the first crew members aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft, embarking on a 25-hour flight to the International Space Station (ISS). 

Boeing’s Crew Flight Test mission carrying Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore lifted off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida after experiencing multiple delays. 

Williams, aged 58, serves as the pilot for the flight test, while Wilmore, aged 61, commands the mission. This launch signifies the commencement of the NASA-Boeing Starliner Crew Flight Test (CFT). 

Upon arriving at the International Space Station (ISS), Sunita Williams broke into an impromptu dance as she entered, accompanied by her colleague Butch Wilmore, and they received the traditional ‘Bell Rings’ welcome, following US Naval tradition. 

A video shared by NASA on their social media showed Williams entering the ISS docking area first, greeted by loud applause from the Expedition 71 crew members. One of them rang the metal bell, its clink audibles over the celebratory cheers. 

Image Source: NDTV