Astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, who have been stranded in space since June 6, are awaiting a crucial decision from the NASA regarding their return to Earth.
Initially planned as an eight-day mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS), their stay has extended to over two months due to technical issues with Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft.
Starliner, which was expected to safely ferry the astronauts back to Earth, encountered several problems, including the failure of multiple thrusters and helium leaks in its propulsion system. While engineers have managed to restore some of the thrusters, concerns remain about the spacecraft’s ability to safely complete a de-orbit and return the crew to Earth.
The NASA is set to make a final decision on August 24 regarding whether to bring Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore back on Starliner or to opt for SpaceX’s Dragon capsule instead.
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If Starliner is deemed unfit, it may be undocked from the ISS without any crew, and the astronauts would likely remain in space until February 2025, when they would return aboard a SpaceX Dragon capsule. The NASA has already postponed the launch of the SpaceX Crew-9 mission to September 24, which will further delay their return.
The situation underscores ongoing challenges with Boeing’s Starliner program, which has faced numerous delays and technical setbacks since its inception. Boeing and SpaceX were both contracted by NASA in 2014 under the Commercial Crew Program to provide transportation to and from the ISS.
While SpaceX has successfully launched multiple missions with its Dragon capsules since 2020, Boeing’s Starliner has struggled, despite significant investment from both Boeing and NASA.
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The final decision on the astronauts’ return is eagerly awaited as NASA continues to assess the safety and reliability of the Starliner spacecraft.
Earlier, NASA’s Indian-American astronaut Sunita Williams, along with her eight fellow crew members aboard the International Space Station (ISS), was reported to be confronting a serious challenge.
Scientists had detected a multi-drug resistant bacterium, Enterobacter bugandensis, which has become more aggressive in the confined environment of the ISS. This bacterium, often referred to as a ‘superbug,’ presents a potential threat to the respiratory health of the crew members on the station.
