NASA is running on critical 19-day deadline to bring Sunita Williams from space. Here's why

NASA is now running on a critical deadline of 19 days to bring back astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore from the ISS who are stuck in space because their Boeing Starliner spacecraft has encountered some technical issues.

There have been malfunctions in the thruster and helium system because of which their return has been delayed and now the 19-day deadline has emerged because the Crew-9 mission nears.

The engineers have been tirelessly working to resolve the issues along with considering the potential alternatives, including a SpaceX Dragon capsule, to ensure the safe return of the astronauts amidst a challenging mission.

The Starliner had docked at the ISS on June 13, 2024, and was earlier scheduled to make a comeback to Earth after completing a week-long mission.

Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams launched from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on June 5, 2024, in Florida.

How did the Starliner get stuck in space?

The aim of the mission was to test the Starliner in their first manned flight, which is a major milestone for the commercial crew programme of Boeing.

The spacecraft was able to dock with the ISS successfully, however, as it approached, five of its 28 thrusters had shut down unexpectedly.

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Also, the engineers found five small helium leaks in the service module of the spacecraft. Because of these issues, the Starliner was not able to safely undock and return to Earth.

NASA andBoeing'sengineers are now working continuously to solve the issues with the Starliner.

NASA’s commercial crew program manager, Steve Stich, said that they have not yet determined a return timeline for Williams and Wilmore.

The thrusters and helium systems of the spacecraft are important for its safe re-entry into the atmosphere of the Earth and any malfunction can pose a significant risk to the safety of the astronauts.

Why is NASA facing the deadline and how it is complicating astronauts' rescue?

The rescue mission of the astronauts is facing a complication because the upcoming Crew-9 mission needs the docking ports at the ISS which is currently accommodated by the Starliner.

The Crew-9 mission will be launched on August 18, 2024 and will transport NASA astronauts Zena Cardman, Nick Hague, and Stephanie Wilson, along with Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexander Gorbunov, to the ISS through a SpaceXDragon spacecraft.

The Crew-9's arrival has added urgency to the situation as the docking port needs to be cleared for which the Starliner needs to be moved.

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If the Starliner doesn't become operative, NASA will have to find alternative methods to bring Williams and Wilmore back to Earth, which also includes chances of using a SpaceX Dragon capsule.

Speaking about the concerns raised regarding Starliner's performance and safety, Commander Wilmore said that they are confident about returning safely.

"We're absolutely confident," he said, as he spoke about the readiness of the team to adapt procedures based on new data.

As the deadline approaches, the world continues to watch how NASA will resolve this crisis and end this critical mission successfully.

(With inputs from agencies)