Indian-American astronaut Sunita Williams, currently aboard the International Space Station (ISS), faces another setback in her return to Earth. NASA has announced that the return of both astronauts aboard the ISS might be delayed for a longer period.
Technical Glitch in Starliner Halts Return
Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore launched aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft on June 5, 2024, for a test flight to the ISS. The duo reached the station on June 6 and were scheduled to return a week later. However, technical issues in the Starliner, including a helium leak and thruster malfunctions, have postponed their return indefinitely.
Initial Plan for February 2025 Delayed
NASA and SpaceX had planned to launch the Crew-10 mission in February 2025, which has now been delayed due to the ongoing work on a new Dragon spacecraft. This capsule will carry four astronauts to the ISS. NASA’s Commercial Crew Program Manager Steve Stich mentioned that spacecraft fabrication, assembly, testing, and final integration require additional time. As a result, Sunita and Butch will need to remain on the station for at least another month.
Why the Delay in Sunita Williams’ Return?
The delay is attributed to the technical issues in Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft, including a helium leak and malfunctioning thrusters. Despite the challenges, both Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore are reported to be healthy and actively contributing to research and assisting other astronauts aboard the ISS.
Can They Stay on the ISS for Three More Months?
There is no immediate threat to Sunita and Butch. They can comfortably spend the next three months on the ISS. Currently, the station hosts a total of nine astronauts. While this isn’t the first time astronauts have had to extend their stay, this will be Sunita’s first unexpected prolonged mission on the ISS.
The delay highlights the complexities and challenges of space travel, but NASA assures that safety and mission success remain their top priorities.
