Indian-origin astronaut Sunita Williams, stuck on the ISS for over 50 days, celebrated the start of the Paris Olympics 2024. NASA released a video showing her and other astronauts performing sports stunts to wish the athletes good luck.
Sunita Williams performed gymnastic steps in the zero-gravity environment. The astronauts' celebration aimed to inspire athletes worldwide.
Fellow astronaut Butch Wilmore appeared to play shot-put in space, adding to the unique Olympic celebrations aboard the ISS.
Williams and Wilmore reached the ISS on June 6 for a 10-day mission but have been unable to return due to technical issues with the Starliner spacecraft.
The astronauts continue performing usual and specific ISS duties while NASA engineers work on repairing the Boeing Starliner docked at the space station.
Astronauts celebrated the Olympics by pushing boundaries in space, floating 400 km above Paris, and sharing their joy with the world.
Let the games begin! Athletes from across the world are gathering today to kick off the 2024 #Olympics – pushing boundaries and inspiring generations, NASA shared on X (formerly Twitter), posting a video shot on board the space station.
In the video, Williams caught an electronic version of the Olympic torch and performed somersaults, while other astronauts threw 'discus' and performed weightlifting manoeuvers.
NASA conducted a 'hot test' on the malfunctioning Starliner, revealing thrusters at peak performance and a stable helium system, boosting hopes for a safe return of the astronauts.
NASA and Boeing are optimistic that astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore might return before a new crew arrives on the ISS via SpaceX's Falcon-9 and Crew Dragon after August 18.