posted 09-22-2024 11:42 AM
Earlier today, Sunita Williams became commander of Expedition 72. My questions:
Who was originally intended to be commander? Possibly Nick Hague?
As Sunita was not scheduled to be on the ISS that long, how can she take over all the responsibilities for this expedition without all the training involved?
MSS Member
Posts: 1078 From: Europe Registered: May 2003
posted 09-22-2024 12:32 PM
Scheduled commander was Alexey Ovchinin (also commander of Soyuz MS-26).
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 53179 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 09-22-2024 12:51 PM
As to the second question, this is not Suni's first time as station commander. As noted during today's change-of-command ceremony, Williams last held the "key" to the space station 12 years and 7 days ago when she led Expedition 33.
The commander position aboard ISS is less about managing day-to-day science or task assignments — those are decided by mission control — but overseeing and managing crew moral, as well leading her crew through any emergency situation.