NASA astronauts Barry Wilmore and Sunita Williams have been stranded on the International Space Station (ISS) since June due to technical issues with the Boeing Starliner capsule intended to bring them home. Their return has been delayed because of thruster failures and helium leaks in the capsule. NASA is working on a solution, but no return date has been set.
The astronauts were originally on an eight-day mission to the ISS, but the malfunctions have extended their stay. NASA’s Commercial Crew Program Manager Steve Stich assured that Wilmore and Williams are safe with sufficient supplies, but emphasized the urgency of clearing the docking port currently occupied by the Starliner for the upcoming SpaceX Crew-9 mission scheduled for September 24.
During a virtual press conference from the ISS, Williams expressed confidence in the spacecraft despite its issues. “I feel confident that if we had to…if there was a problem with the International Space Station, we could get in our spacecraft and we can undock, talk to our team and figure out the best way to come home,” she said.
While NASA and Boeing work to resolve the Starliner’s problems, alternative plans, including potentially using a SpaceX Dragon capsule, are being considered to ensure the astronauts’ safe return.
