You must have heard by now how NASA’s astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore are stuck in space at the International Space Station (ISS). They initially went for just eight days but their return has been heavily delayed because of a technical issue in their. Boeing Starliner spacecraft. You might be wondering what might happen and how is NASA reacting to this. Let me tell you.
Williams and Wilmore have now been stuck at ISS for over two months when their mission was just eight days long. The culprit? Officials are now worried about the Starliner’s thruster system. It has been experiencing leaks and power-downs. The issue is that engineers have been unable to find out what the main issue is. So it is sort of tricky to bring both astronauts back home safely. Now, it is speculated that the two will have to stay at the space station until February 2025.
Also read: Sunita Williams is stuck in space, but her husband says it’s her ‘happy place’
How are they dealing with this situation at the space station you might be wondering? Well, they are not stuck in the real sense of the term. The ISS, equipped with seven bedrooms, three bathrooms, and ample supplies, offers a comfortable environment. The astronauts continue to carry out scientific experiments, maintain the station, and even engage in physical training.
On the supplies front, the space station has enough water, and a recent mission even restocked their food supplies. Astronauts are amongst the most trained people out there. They are prepared for such situations beforehand too. Their training ensures they are prepared to handle the challenges, making the most of their time until they can safely return to Earth.
The plan now is that NASA is thinking of bringing back the Starliner without the crew. The two will remain at the ISS until February 2025. Then, a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft, with just two astronauts on board, would be sent to retrieve them. This will coincide with the return of the other four NASA astronauts on the ISS in September, leaving the station with a total crew of seven.
