It will soon be a terrifying nine months since two NASA astronauts arrived at the International Space Station for what should have been just an eight day stay.
As the nightmare ordeal continues to spark widespread fears for the pair’s wellbeing, the Daily Mail has asked a body language expert to weigh in on how they really appear to be coping while stuck in space.
Sunita Williams, 59, and Barry Wilmore, 62, arrived at the ISS aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft on June 6 and have been stranded there ever since following a series of technical issues.
Ultimately, their spacecraft returned to Earth without its crew because it was deemed too risky, forcing Williams and Wilmore to remain on the space station until they can hitch a ride home on a different return flight.
Their rescue has since been delayed multiple times, sparking public outrage.
However, President Donald Trump called on Elon Musk to ‘go get’ them and the astronauts’ return date is now set for March 19 or 20.
The American space agency has periodically livestreamed interviews with Williams and Wilmore, offering a glimpse into their lives in space.
To help give people an idea of how they are really holding up, body language expert Judi James has provided exclusive analysis after comparing a video streamed in September with the a recent interview taken on Thursday.
Body language expert Judi James to compare this September interview with the Starliner crew to an interview that aired on Thursday
In the September interview, Wilmore appears to take the lead, ‘talking the most and projecting some very stoic, motivational messages that he makes sound non-negotiable,’ James said
‘The lack of gravity is clearly adding a unique angle to their body language signals as there is a degree of wafting of having to restrain themselves, which makes some of their gesticulation look very deliberate,’ James said of the September video.
She noted that the astronauts were clearly trying to reassure viewers of their wellbeing ‘with displays of resilience and reassurance.’
In the September interview, Wilmore appears to take the lead, ‘talking the most and projecting some very stoic, motivational messages that he makes sound non-negotiable,’ James said.
‘His knees are splayed, suggesting a blend of gravity and confidence.
‘His hand is stuffed into his pocket, which can normally suggest a desire to hide although, again, it seems to be a gesture linked to need thanks to the gravity issues.’
James described Wilmore’s vocal tone as ‘strong and emphatic, suffused by what sounds like good humor and high spirits.’
She noticed that he put extra emphasis on words like ‘fortitude’ and ‘character,’ making them sound like intra-personal mantras used to ‘stoke their resilience and resolve’ and display those states of mind for viewers.
Williams, on the other hand, remained quiet during parts of the interview, ‘but her non-verbal responses register agreement with Barry,’ James said.
DailyMail.com asked body language expert Judi James to compare the astronauts’ behavior in the February 27 video to this one that aired on Good Morning America on Thursday. The Starliner crew answered questions alongside NASA astronaut Nick Hague (right)
In both videos, James said the astronauts made efforts to reassure the public of their wellbeing through lighthearted gestures and silly tricks, like mid-air somersaults
She also changes her hand positions frequently. At one point, Williams grasps her wrist with the other hand, but James did not notice any sign of tight clasping or muscle tension that would suggest anxiety or stress.
The changes of hand position, however, could hint at some turbulent emotion, ‘and there is some crossing of the thumbs that could signal self-comfort,’ James said.
‘But her closed-lip smile to the camera looks relaxed and neither use the kind of overkill rituals and gestures that would suggest they’re trying too hard to convince about their upbeat state,’ she added.
Overall, James said there appears to be a state of ‘friendly agreeableness’ between the two astronauts, ‘with Sunita throwing her hands out to signal she is “up for anything” in terms of their situation.
‘They clearly share a sense of humor as they chuckle together naturally,’ she added.
In Thursday’s interview, ‘Suni and Butch are clearly united and set on the objective of projecting an upbeat, optimistic front here with no desire to hint at any rifts, cracks or anxiety to the friends, family and fans at home,’ James said.
‘They seem to be an ongoing promo for the power of the US spirit under pressure,’ she added.
James noted that many of their body language signals remain unchanged when compared to the September video, such as their raised and rounded cheeks that suggest ‘good humor and even excitement.’
‘Butch’s gesticulations are still solid although Suni’s are more variable, moving from a wringing of the hands that could suggests some inner tensions to a more powerful steepling of the fingers to suggest leadership and control,’ she said.
The pair’s body language suggest their relationship remains strong, ‘which might be a challenge for any two people shut away for so long,’ James said.
‘Butch shows his playful side by performing somersaults, and although Suni laughs she also looks concerned for his safety and leans forward smiling to check he lands ok.
‘She also shows off her ongoing capacity for fun by throwing the mic around in the air.’
NASA’s current plan is to for Williams, Wilmore, Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov to fly back to Earth when the SpaceX Crew-10 mission reaches the ISS.
That mission was originally slated to launch in February, but is now expected to lift off no earlier than March 12. Thus, the Starliner crew is expected to return around March 19 or 20.
They will leave behind six other astronauts currently on the ISS: NASA astronaut Don Pettit, Russian cosmonauts Alexey Ovchinin and Ivan Vagner, and Chinese astronauts Cai Xuzhe, Song Lingdong and Wang Haoze.