NASA’s Urgent Alert: Boeing Astronauts Still Stuck in Space
By Jake Beardslee ·
July 26, 2024
Two NASA astronauts, Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, remain stranded on the International Space Station (ISS) 50 days after their arrival, far exceeding their planned week-long stay. The extended mission is a result of ongoing technical issues with Boeing's Starliner capsule, which was meant to bring them back to Earth, according to the New York Post. NASA Johnson Space Center / Wikimedia
The spacecraft, on its first crewed test flight, experienced thruster failures and helium leaks shortly after launch. These problems have prompted NASA and Boeing to delay the astronauts' return while engineers work to understand and resolve the issues. NASA Johnson Space Center / Wikimedia
NASA's commercial crew program manager, Steve Stich, stated in a recent update that a return date has not yet been set, The Independent reported. "We'll come home when we're ready," Stich said, emphasizing that the primary goal is to bring Wilmore and Williams back aboard Starliner. However, he acknowledged that NASA is considering alternative options, which could include using a different spacecraft for the return journey. NASA Johnson Space Center / Wikimedia
Initially, NASA had declared the spacecraft safe for a 45-day stay, which has now been exceeded. The space agency has since extended this to a potential 90-day mission, with future full operational missions approved for up to 21 days. NASA Johnson Space Center / Wikimedia
Engineers recently completed testing on a spare thruster in New Mexico to investigate the malfunctions that occurred during the capsule's approach to the ISS on June 6. While five thrusters initially failed, four have since been reactivated. NASA Johnson Space Center / Wikimedia
This mission marks Boeing's first crewed test flight as part of NASA's commercial crew program, which also includes SpaceX. The latter has been successfully transporting astronauts since 2020. Austin LoweryNASA/SpaceX / Wikimedia
As the investigation and testing continue, Wilmore and Williams remain aboard the ISS, with their return date still uncertain. NASA assures that supplies on the station are sufficient for the extended stay and is working diligently to ensure a safe return for the astronauts. NASA Johnson Space Center / Wikimedia
