If their spacecraft is still deemed hazardous to come home, Barry Wilmore and Sunita Williams, two astronauts who have been detained in space since they boarded Boeing’s Starliner for an eight-day trip, may return in February 2025 aboard SpaceX’s Crew Dragon, NASA revealed on Wednesday.
When the Starliner was getting close to the International Space Station (ISS), Wilmore and Williams’ spacecraft began to experience problems. These included propulsion system leaks and the spacecraft’s thrusters shutting off.
The two astronauts on the Boeing flight were only flown into space to see if the spacecraft could be used on regular space missions. It was the first flight of its sort.
Although the astronauts arrived at the station, they have since floated in space. During a news conference on Wednesday, NASA representatives acknowledged that their arrival back on Earth might not happen until 2025.
Astronauts Stuck In Space For Eight-Day
“Returning Butch (Wilmore) and Suni (Williams) on Starliner is our main choice. But we have made the necessary preparations to ensure that we have other choices available,” said Steve Stich, manager of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program.
Additionally, the two astronauts may be assigned to a mission that is scheduled to launch in September and return by February 2025, according to NASA officials. Nevertheless, this is merely a possibility that is being discussed.
The officials went on to say that a final decision would not be made for at least a week.
Two of the seats aboard the SpaceX Crew Dragon plane, which was intended to help four crew members reach the International Space Station, may not be occupied by Wilmore and Williams during the voyage under discussion.
The astronauts’ need to float while spending more than eight months at the space station is the single disadvantage of this design.
Additionally, the Starliner would return to Earth under computer control if the Crew Dragon’s plan is carried out.
