Astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, who have been stranded aboard the International Space Station (ISS) for 49 days due to helium leaks in their Boeing Starliner spacecraft, are expected to remain in orbit until at least August. The mission, which began on June 5, 2024, was originally planned to last only eight days.
NASA’s Steve Stich announced that the astronauts will stay on the ISS until Boeing and NASA experts complete final thruster tests this weekend. If these tests are successful and the helium leaks remain stable, NASA will conduct an agency review next week to set a return date for the astronauts. Mark Nappi from Boeing acknowledged the backlash over the extended mission and expressed confidence in the spacecraft’s ability to safely return the crew.
In the event that Starliner proves too risky for the return trip, NASA has backup plans, including using SpaceX’s Crew Dragon to bring Wilmore and Williams home. The Crew Dragon, which recently transported four astronauts to the ISS in March, can accommodate additional passengers if necessary. This redundancy underscores the importance of having multiple commercial spacecraft available for missions to the ISS.
“The prime intent is still to return Butch and Suni aboard Starliner,” Stich emphasized, but he noted the importance of safety in making that decision. Nappi expressed regret for initially stating that the mission would last only eight days, acknowledging the backlash faced by the company due to the extended mission.
NASA’s reliance on multiple commercial spacecraft highlights the value of having diverse transportation options to the ISS, ensuring the safety and reliability of missions even when technical issues arise. The situation with the Starliner serves as a reminder of the complexities and challenges involved in space travel and the importance of thorough testing and backup plans.
