NASA has yet to establish an official timetable for the return of astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams, who have been unexpectedly stuck aboard the International Space Station (ISS) after a series of mechanical issues with Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft.
Wilmore and Williams launched from Earth on June 5 for what was intended to be an eight-day mission. However, their return has been delayed due to malfunctions in the Boeing Starliner, including leaks and the failure of multiple thrusters as the spacecraft approached the ISS. These issues have forced the astronauts to remain in space, with NASA not yet providing a clear schedule for their return to Earth.
NASA is currently exploring several options to bring the astronauts back safely. One possibility is using the Boeing Starliner for the return trip, with Boeing expressing confidence in the spacecraft’s ability to complete the journey. However, if NASA determines that it’s safer to leave the astronauts on the ISS, Boeing is prepared to bring the Starliner back empty. There is also the potential that Wilmore and Williams could remain on the ISS until February 2025.
“It’s a fairly major discussion to decide whether or not we’re going to have crew on board for Starliner’s return,” explained Ken Bowersox, associate administrator for NASA’s Space Operations Mission Directorate, at a news conference on Wednesday. “We’re expecting that the data analysis will be ready for a program board by the middle to end of next week, and will be ready for a flight readiness review around the end of next week.”
According to the Associated Press, the Boeing Starliner encountered issues even before its June 5 launch, including a leak and the failure of five thrusters during its approach to the ISS. However, subsequent testing in space and on the ground revealed that only one of the 28 thrusters is still malfunctioning.
NASA is also considering the option of using SpaceX’s Dragon capsule, developed by Elon Musk’s company, to bring the astronauts home. If this option is chosen, Wilmore and Williams would likely remain on the ISS until February.
“I do want to keep this in perspective, if Butch and Suni do not come home on Starliner, they will have about 8 months in orbit,” NASA’s chief of safety and mission assurance said at the news conference one wednesday.
Despite the delays, NASA has assured the public that the astronauts are safe aboard the ISS and have sufficient food and water for an extended stay.
