NASA's Starliner Astronauts Extend Space Stay Until February Due to Technical Issues

NASA has announced the delay of the return of Boeing Starliner astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, who were scheduled to end their mission on Tuesday. The decision was made due to ongoing technical issues with the spacecraft, which will require additional time for investigation and resolution.

NASA has decided to keep Boeing Starliner astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams in space until February 2023 due to ongoing technical issues with the spacecraft. The decision was announced over the weekend and comes after weeks of investigation following an incident shortly after the Starliner docked with the International Space Station.

NASA's Starliner Astronauts Extend Space Stay Until February Due to Technical Issues

Shortly after the Starliner docked with the ISS, engineers discovered helium leaks and issues involving thrusters. NASA and Boeing immediately launched an investigation to determine the root cause of the problems. The findings of the investigation will be crucial in determining the next steps for the Starliner program.

Both Wilmore and Williams are experienced astronauts with extensive space histories. Wilmore is on his third mission to the ISS and has logged 178 days in space from his previous two missions. Williams is also on her third ISS mission, with 322 days in space prior to the current one.

NASA's Starliner Astronauts Extend Space Stay Until February Due to Technical Issues

The families of Wilmore and Williams have expressed support for the decision to keep them in space for an extended period. They believe that the delay is necessary to ensure their safety and the success of the mission.

Despite the delay, Wilmore's family has been able to stay connected through FaceTime calls, allowing them to share Earth views and updates on life back home. Wilmore's daughter, Daryn, has said that she finds the sunset views from space particularly captivating.

NASA's Starliner Astronauts Extend Space Stay Until February Due to Technical Issues

Both Wilmore and Williams have served in the Navy prior to becoming astronauts. Wilmore served in the Navy during Operations Desert Storm, Desert Shield, and Southern Watch, while Williams served in a Navy helicopter squadron during the Gulf War buildup.

The SpaceX Crew-9 Dragon mission will carry additional cargo and Dragon-specific spacesuits for Wilmore and Williams, as their Boeing spacesuits are incompatible with the SpaceX spacecraft.

NASA's Starliner Astronauts Extend Space Stay Until February Due to Technical Issues

Wilmore and Williams are now expected to return with the SpaceX Crew-9 Dragon mission in February 2023. The Crew-9 mission will need to reduce its crew of four to two to make room for the stranded astronauts.

The decision to delay the return of Wilmore and Williams is a testament to NASA's commitment to safety. The space agency wants to ensure that the astronauts are able to complete their mission safely and effectively.

The investigation into the technical issues with the Starliner spacecraft is ongoing. NASA and Boeing are working together to identify and resolve the problems. The results of the investigation will help to inform future decisions regarding the Starliner program.