### Astronauts Celebrate Thanksgiving in Orbit Despite Extended Stay

Astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) are preparing to partake in a space-bound Thanksgiving celebration. NASA astronaut Suni Williams, currently residing on the ISS, shared that she and her colleagues will have a day off to enjoy the holiday. "We have a bunch of food that we've packed away that is Thanksgiving-ish," Williams mentioned in an interview with NBC News. The menu includes smoked turkey, cranberry, apple cobbler, green beans and mushrooms, and mashed potatoes.

Williams, who has spent nearly six months at the ISS, planned to watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade before celebrating with her American and Russian crewmates. She and fellow astronaut Butch Wilmore arrived at the space station in June, participating as test pilots on Boeing's first crewed Starliner space capsule flight. While they initially intended to stay for only a week, unpredicted complications with the spacecraft extended their mission significantly.

The Starliner mission, plagued by issues primarily involving its thrusters and helium leaks, became a monthslong ordeal for both NASA and Boeing. Despite these challenges, Williams emphasized that there’s always been a contingency plan for their return. The astronauts are now set to return to Earth in February aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule.

In the face of rumors concerning her health, Williams reassured the public, stating she is in good spirits and good health. NASA’s chief health and medical officer also confirmed that all ISS crew members are doing well. "We're feeling good, working out, eating right," Williams affirmed.

The Starliner capsule, despite its problems, managed to return to Earth without a crew in September. Williams reflected that it would have been rewarding to complete the mission as planned, but expressed confidence in the potential of the Starliner, contingent on necessary adjustments and fixes.

"Maybe not tomorrow, because we have to incorporate some of the lessons learned," she said, "but as soon as we see that we're on the right path and we've made some of the fixes to some of the issues that we had - absolutely."