NASA astronauts stuck on ISS until February 2025 due to technical problems: the mission was planned for only 8 days

Ivanna Shepel News25.08.2024 14:58

NASA Boeing Flight Test astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams will remain on the International Space Station until February 2025

Astronauts Barry Wilmore and Suni Williams, who are forced to stay on the International Space Station due to technical problems with the Boeing Starliner, will return to Earth only in February 2025. Initially, their mission was supposed to last only 8 days.

This was announced by NASA Chairman Bill Nelson. It was decided that the Starliner will return to Earth without a crew.

The astronauts will be delivered to Earth on the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft, which will go to the ISS in September as part of a rotational mission. Two of the four seats on the Crew Dragon are reserved for Wilmore and Williams.

"Spaceflight is risky, even at its safest and most routine. A test flight, by nature, is neither safe, nor routine. The decision to keep Butch and Suni aboard the International Space Station and bring Boeing’s Starliner home uncrewed is the result of our commitment to safety: our core value and our North Star," said Bill Nelson.

The Boeing Starliner spacecraft left for its first mission with astronauts to the International Space Station on June 5, succeeding only on the third attempt. Initially, it was planned that the spacecraft with the crew would return to Earth eight days after docking with the station, but during the flight, a problem with the engines occurred, making the crew's return to the Starliner unsafe.

The first problem with the Starliner was discovered on Earth before the launch as there was a helium leak in the ship's orientation system due to a faulty valve that controls the pressure in the fuel tank. During the flight, a similar leak occurred in five of the 28 engines.

The Starliner, which was designed for autonomous flights and has previously made two unmanned launches, is now preparing to return to Earth. NASA and Boeing will work together to adjust the mission completion plan and set up Starliner systems for a safe, crewless return in the coming weeks. The Starliner must return to Earth before the launch of the Crew-9 mission to ensure that there is a free port for docking at the station.

Only verified information is available on OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!