Sunita Williams, Butch Wilmore Stranded in Space

Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore will remain in space for a few more days as NASA delays the Boeing Starliner’s return from the International Space Station (ISS). NASA decided to take additional time to review technical issues with the spacecraft, and no new return date has been set.

The return flight was initially scheduled for June 14 and then postponed to June 26. The delay is partly due to the station’s planned spacewalks on June 24 and July 2. NASA’s mission managers are evaluating future return opportunities after these spacewalks.

Steve Stich, NASA’s commercial crew program manager, emphasized that they are taking their time and following standard procedures. He noted that the Starliner is performing well in orbit, and the extended time in space will provide valuable insights into system upgrades for future missions.

The Boeing Starliner has faced several technical issues during previous test flights. These included failures in five of its 28 maneuvering thrusters, helium gas leaks, and a slow-moving propellant valve. These problems have contributed to the current delays.

NASA has not announced a new return date for the astronauts. The delay is likely to extend further as NASA and Boeing continue to address the Starliner’s issues and conduct additional tests. Boeing has already invested nearly $1.5 billion in cost overruns, exceeding its $4.5 billion development contract with NASA.

The successful return of the Starliner would mark a significant milestone, making Boeing the second company, after Elon Musk’s SpaceX, capable of ferrying astronauts to the ISS. Since 2020, SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft has been the primary vehicle for ISS missions.

Re-reported from the article originally published in TIMES OF INDIA.