When astronauts Barry “Butch” Wilmore and Sunita Williams launched to the International Space Station (ISS) on June 5, they expected a brief mission. However, their journey has taken an unexpected turn, with their return now uncertain.
Wilmore and Williams, who were supposed to spend just a few days in space, are still aboard the ISS nearly two months later. The astronauts travelled to the ISS aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft, which was conducting its first crewed test flight. Although the mission successfully docked with the ISS, issues arose during the approach, including propulsion leaks and thruster malfunctions.
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NASA officials are now exploring alternative ways to bring the astronauts back safely. “Our prime option is to return Butch and Suni on Starliner,” Steve Stich, manager of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, said in a recent briefing (via BBC). “However, we have done the requisite planning to make sure we have other options open.”
One potential solution being considered involves sending the astronauts back on a mission set to launch in September. This mission, which will use a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft, could return them to Earth in February 2025. Originally, the Crew Dragon was scheduled to carry four astronauts, but two of those seats could be left vacant if needed to accommodate Wilmore and Williams.
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This alternative plan would extend their stay at the International Space Station (ISS) from the intended eight days to over eight months. If the Crew Dragon is used for their return, the Starliner spacecraft would be brought back to Earth without a crew, operated remotely by computer.
NASA officials have indicated that it may take a week or more to make a final decision on the best course of action.
Ken Bowersox, NASA’s director of space operations, noted that the possibility of an uncrewed return for the Starliner has become more likely. “That’s why we’re looking more closely at that option to make sure that we can handle it,” he said.
As the situation develops, Wilmore and Williams’ return remains uncertain, highlighting the unpredictable nature of space missions.
