NASA astronauts stuck in space may return to Earth in February 2025 on a SpaceX ship
NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore
Two NASA astronauts who are stranded in space may return to Earth next year on a SpaceX ship,the American space agency announced on Saturday (Aug 24).
Astronauts Sunita 'Suni' Williams and Barry 'Butch' Wilmore flew to the International Space Station (ISS)aboard Boeing's faulty Starliner capsule in June.
The US space agency said the issues with Starliner's propulsion system were too risky to carry the duo home.
The two astronauts became the first crew to ride Starliner on June 5 when they were launched to the ISS for what was expected to be an eight-day test mission.
Their return is now expected in February 2025 on a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft. The craft is scheduled to be launched in September as part of a routine astronaut rotation mission. Two seats in the craft will be left empty to facilitate the safe return of Wilmore and Williams.
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Why are astronauts stuck?
NASA had knownabouta helium leakbefore the Starliner's launch but it was deemed too minor to pose a safety risk. The situation, however,worsened as the spacecraft developed four additional helium leaks after it reached the orbit, rendering one thruster unusable.
Meanwhile, throughout these months, the US space agency stressed that the astronauts were not stranded and completely safe.
NASA officials say they are studying data from the faulty spaceship and will make a decision regarding its flight back home in coming days.
“We've got time available before we bring Starliner home and we want to use that time wisely," said Ken Bowersox, NASA's space operations mission chief.
(With inputs from agencies)