Sunita “Suni” Williams and Barry “Butch” Wilmore are veteran astronauts and naval officers who are currently stranded on the International Space Station. Their mission was to test out the Boeing-made Starliner capsule and see how it operates with a human crew in space. However, due to complications with the Starliner, their mission has been extended beyond the initial eight days, and they won’t be back on Earth before 2025. Despite this delay, the astronauts have been busy working on research and maintenance activities with the ISS Expedition 71 crew.
The delay in returning home is due to various problems with the Starliner, including a valve issue in the rocket and helium leaks. Although the craft was able to successfully dock with the ISS, the crew had to troubleshoot failed control thrusters. In comparison, SpaceX, the company that has been transporting astronauts to the ISS since 2020, has had its own share of failures, including rocket explosions and deploying satellites in the wrong orbit. Despite these challenges, NASA has assured that the astronauts are safe and not in danger while they remain on the ISS.
NASA has decided to bring the Starliner back to Earth without a crew, probably in September, and then return Wilmore and Williams on the SpaceX Crew-9 Dragon spacecraft early next year. The crew members assigned to the SpaceX Crew-9 mission will stay behind to make room for the returning astronauts. Both NASA and Boeing are working towards a safe and controlled re-entry for the Starliner, while gathering critical information on its performance in space. The astronauts themselves seem to be taking the situation in stride, with Williams stating that they are not complaining about their extended time in space.
Williams and Wilmore have expressed their support for NASA’s decision to return them on the SpaceX Crew-9 Dragon spacecraft, and they are ready to continue their mission onboard the ISS. Despite the challenges they have faced with the Starliner, Wilmore praised the craft’s performance and capabilities. Overall, NASA and its partners are committed to ensuring the safety of the astronauts and spacecraft involved in space missions, and are working diligently to address any issues that may arise.
