Astronauts Sunita Williams, Wilmore doing great but could be stuck in space for eight months: NASA | Technology News
NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams, who initially planned to spend just over a week on the International Space Station (ISS), may now remain in orbit until early next year due to complications with their return craft, Boeing’s Starliner.
What was meant to be a brief stay has already stretched into two months, with the possibility of an extended mission of up to eight months.
The astronauts were part of a test flight for Boeing’s Starliner capsule, the first crewed mission for the spacecraft. However, issues with the capsule’s thrusters and helium leaks have raised concerns about its ability to safely return the crew to Earth.
As a result, NASA is considering keeping Wilmore and Williams on the ISS until SpaceX’s next mission, potentially delaying their return until February.
Joe Acaba, NASA’s chief astronaut, assured the public that both Wilmore and Williams are handling the situation well, despite the unexpected extension.
“In my office, right now I can watch them working on the ISS,” Acaba said. “They have fully integrated into the station’s crew. But we are human, and this is hard on crew members and their families, and we take that into account. But again, as professional astronauts, they are prepared for this. They are doing great.”
NASA is currently analyzing data to determine the best course of action for the astronauts.
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A decision is expected by the end of next week or the following week.
The thrusters in question are vital for maintaining the Starliner’s position during reentry, making it critical that NASA thoroughly assesses the situation before allowing the capsule to return.
Boeing, for its part, maintains that Starliner can still safely return the astronauts to Earth. The company has conducted extensive testing on the troubled thrusters since liftoff, though NASA is proceeding with caution.
For now, Wilmore and Williams remain focused on their work aboard the ISS, prepared to stay as long as needed.
(With inputs from BBC, AP)
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