Why astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams may very well be caught in house till subsequent 12 months? Prolonged mission and NASA’s contingency plans |

NASA is grappling with the choice of when and find out how to return two astronauts from the Worldwide Area Station following repeated delays with Boeing’s troubled capsule. The selection is whether or not to danger sending them residence quickly in Boeing’s Starliner or to attend till subsequent 12 months for a return with SpaceX.

Prolonged mission and ongoing testing

Astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams have been aboard the ISS since early June, with their mission initially scheduled for eight days however doubtlessly extending past eight months.Testing is ongoing, with Boeing assured in its spacecraft, whereas NASA stays divided. A call is anticipated subsequent week.
This mission marks Boeing’s first crewed launch after prior points with empty Starliners, together with software program issues. Even earlier than Wilmore and Williams launched on June 5, their capsule skilled a small helium leak, deemed secure and remoted. Nonetheless, as Starliner neared the house station, extra leaks and thruster failures occurred. Whereas the capsule docked efficiently and 4 thrusters finally functioned, the basis reason for the malfunctions stays unclear. The thrusters are essential for the capsule’s deorbit burn, and any extra failures might jeopardise crew security.

NASA’s contingency plan

NASA emphasises that Wilmore and Williams aren’t stranded however secure on the house station, with the Starliner accessible as a lifeboat in an emergency. If NASA opts for a SpaceX return, Starliner can be indifferent to release a docking slot for a brand new Dragon capsule. Wilmore and Williams would then have to attend till February for his or her return, as house station missions sometimes final a minimum of six months.

Previous experiences and strategic outlook

NASA has confronted comparable conditions earlier than. Astronaut Frank Rubio and his Russian crewmates prolonged their keep attributable to a Soyuz capsule leak. Wilmore and Williams, each skilled astronauts, have tailored to the prolonged mission, receiving extra provides just lately.
In response to the reviews, NASA’s technique consists of utilizing each Boeing and SpaceX for crew transport to the ISS, offering redundancy and security. Regardless of setbacks, NASA stays dedicated to utilizing Starliners alongside Dragons for crew missions till the ISS is retired in 2030. Boeing, regardless of dealing with delays and prices exceeding $1 billion, maintains confidence in Starliner’s capabilities.
The choice on the return plan will likely be made based mostly on ongoing evaluations and the necessity to guarantee the security of the astronauts.
Additionally Learn | James Webb Space Telescope uncovers surprising jets heating dust around distant supermassive black hole