NASA gives update on astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore’s possible return to Earth; details here

In a series of developments regarding astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore on the International Space Station, NASA has shared that the two may return only in February 2025 if their Boeing Starliner remains unsafe. Although the mission was initially planned for a duration of 10 days, it was extended due to a series of technical glitches, leaving people concerned about the safety of the astronauts.

Talks with SpaceX for safe return

The mission launched on June 5, and the spacecraft was docked at the ISS, unfortunately suffering a number of other problems as well, including four helium leaks and five failures of its 28 maneuvering thrusters, as previously reported.

Technical issues identified in the Starliner aircraft include a faulty propulsion system, which resulted in thruster failures, and a helium leak. This was the spacecraft’s first time carrying a human crew, a crucial mission for NASA to assess whether it is fit for regular astronaut flights.

The space exploration organization is currently considering several methods to ensure that Williams and Wilmore return safely to Earth. NASA is in talks with SpaceX to evaluate whether the latter’s Dragon capsule would be suitable to launch a rescue program.

SpaceX launch delayed by a month; possible appointment by NASA

NASA has confirmed that SpaceX Crew-9, a Commercial Crew Program (CCP) spacecraft, was scheduled to fly in mid-August but has now been pushed to after September 24. There is also talk that NASA may send only two astronauts on Crew-9 so that Williams and Wilmore can return with them.

The Guardian reported that there had been some behind-the-scenes conflict between NASA and Boeing, with some NASA members questioning whether the aerospace company should be tasked with returning the two. Boeing has already been struggling with a PR crisis for quite some time, and this mission represents a major setback for the aerospace company’s ambitions to compete with SpaceX.