NASA has decided to keep Boeing Starliner astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams in space until February due to ongoing technical issues with the spacecraft. The decision was made after helium leaks and thruster problems were discovered shortly after docking.
NASA's decision to keep Boeing Starliner astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams in space until February has been met with support from their families. The astronauts, who are currently on the International Space Station (ISS), were originally scheduled to return home on a Starliner spacecraft on August 30th. However, a series of technical issues, including helium leaks and thruster problems, prompted NASA to delay their return until a later date.
The decision to keep the astronauts in space for an extended period is not without precedent. In 2017, Russian cosmonauts Aleksandr Skvortsov and Oleg Artemyev spent 11 months on the ISS due to a leak in their spacecraft's cooling system. And in 2020, NASA astronaut Christina Koch spent 328 days on the ISS, setting a new record for the longest single spaceflight by a woman.
NASA's Starliner Astronauts to Remain in Space Until February
Despite the challenges, both Wilmore and Williams remain optimistic about their extended stay in space. Wilmore, who is on his third mission to the ISS, has accumulated 178 days in space. Williams, who is also on her third mission, has spent 322 days in space.
The astronauts' families are also supportive of the decision to keep them in space until February. Wilmore's wife, Deanna, told WVLT-TV, "You just sort of have to roll with it and expect the unexpected." Williams' mother, Bonnie Pandya, told TMZ, "There were 2 accidents with the shuttle already. I sure as heck wouldn't want that to happen to my daughter... or anybody else! So, better safe than sorry."
NASA's Starliner Astronauts to Remain in Space Until February
While the astronauts' families will miss them during the extended stay, they are confident that they are in good hands. Wilmore's wife, Deanna, said, "He just takes it that the Lord is in control and since the Lord is in control, he's content where he is." Williams' husband, Michael, told The Wall Street Journal that space is his wife's "happy place."
The astronauts' extended stay in space will allow NASA and Boeing to conduct further testing on the Starliner spacecraft. NASA officials have said that they are committed to ensuring that the spacecraft is safe before returning the astronauts to Earth.
NASA's Starliner Astronauts to Remain in Space Until February
The Starliner spacecraft is designed to carry astronauts to and from the ISS as part of NASA's Commercial Crew Program. Boeing, the spacecraft's manufacturer, has been developing the Starliner for several years. The recent technical issues are a setback for the program, but NASA remains confident that the spacecraft will eventually be ready to carry astronauts to the ISS on a regular basis.
In the meantime, Wilmore and Williams will continue to conduct research and maintenance on the ISS. They will also have the opportunity to enjoy the stunning views of Earth from their vantage point in space.
NASA's Starliner Astronauts to Remain in Space Until February
