NASA's upcoming mission to the International Space Station (ISS) will feature two seasoned astronauts, Commander Butch Wilmore and Pilot Sunny Williams, marking a significant milestone in space exploration.

Commander Wilmore, a veteran of two previous space flights, has accumulated over 8,000 flight hours and 663 carrier landings throughout his career. His extensive experience includes operational deployments in support of missions such as Operation Desert Storm. Wilmore's first mission to space was aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis in 2009, followed by a role as flight engineer for Expedition 41 in 2014. With a total of 178 days spent in space and four spacewalks, this upcoming flight will be his third mission to the ISS.

Sunny Williams, a retired U.S. Navy captain and NASA astronaut since 1998, will also be making her third journey to space. Notably, she will become the first woman to participate in a test flight of an orbital spacecraft. Williams has previously served as flight engineer for Expeditions 14 and 15 and commanded Expedition 33. With over 50 hours of spacewalk time, she holds the record for the second most cumulative time in space by a female astronaut, totaling 322 days. Before joining NASA, Williams was a naval test pilot, logging more than 3,000 flight hours in various aircraft.

As preparations for the mission continue, the team is currently configuring the side hatch of the Starliner spacecraft, with audible noises indicating progress. The mission underscores NASA's commitment to advancing human spaceflight and highlights the contributions of experienced astronauts in pushing the boundaries of exploration.