NASA Astronauts' Return from ISS Delayed as Starliner Capsule Troubles Persist

NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams are stranded on the International Space Station (ISS) due to ongoing technical issues with their Boeing Starliner capsule. Engineers continue to investigate the spacecraft's thruster failures and helium leaks, hindering the duo's return to Earth. NASA's goal remains to bring the astronauts back aboard Starliner, but backup plans involving SpaceX's Dragon capsule are being explored.

NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, who were scheduled to return from their mission on the International Space Station (ISS) in mid-June, are still grounded due to problems with their Boeing Starliner spacecraft. The issues, which prompted NASA and Boeing to extend the astronauts' stay in space, have pushed back the return date indefinitely.

NASA's commercial crew program manager, Steve Stich, revealed that mission managers have yet to determine a specific return date, but the plan is to retrieve Wilmore and Williams aboard the Starliner. However, backup options are under consideration, with SpaceX's Dragon capsule emerging as a potential means of bringing the astronauts back to Earth.

NASA Astronauts' Return from ISS Delayed as Starliner Capsule Troubles Persist

"NASA always has contingency options," remarked Stich.

Engineers have recently completed testing on a spare thruster in New Mexico, which will be analyzed to pinpoint the cause of the failures that occurred as the Starliner approached the ISS. Four of the five thrusters that malfunctioned have been reactivated, while investigations continue into degraded seals linked to both the helium leaks and thruster problems.

NASA Astronauts' Return from ISS Delayed as Starliner Capsule Troubles Persist

Boeing's Mark Nappi stated that testing of the capsule's thrusters while docked to the ISS will commence this weekend to gather further data. Each of the 28 maneuvering thrusters, weighing approximately 2 pounds, is crucial for the spacecraft's maneuverability. The capsule is also equipped with more powerful engines for departing from Earth's orbit during the mission's conclusion, all of which are shed before landing.

This mission marked Boeing's initial test flight with crew members on board. The company's previous attempt in 2019, conducted without a crew, failed to reach the ISS due to software issues. Subsequent tests in 2022 also encountered setbacks.

In contrast, SpaceX has been reliably transporting astronauts to and from the ISS since 2020. However, SpaceX's Falcon 9 rockets have been grounded for the past two weeks following an upper-stage failure during a satellite delivery mission. If this grounding persists, upcoming crew flights could face delays.