NASA astronauts' return to Earth delayed by Starliner issues
Two NASA astronauts, Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore, are currently on the International Space Station (ISS) due to a series of technical malfunctions with Boeing's Starliner capsule. The topic of their return to Earth was discussed during NASA's Wednesday conference.
Due to technical problems with Boeing's Starliner capsule, the crew had to remain in space for over a month. For a long time, NASA did not provide specific information on when exactly Williams and Wilmore would return to Earth.
The astronauts were trapped in space due to damages that occurred as the capsule approached the space station. These included a helium leak and the failure of five out of twenty-eight engines, attributed to damaged seals.
NASA is considering various return options
The agency explains that "various return options" are currently being considered. During the teleconference on 7 August, it was confirmed that if SpaceX's Crew-9 spaceship were needed for the return of the Starliner crew, Williams and Wilmore would return to Earth in February 2025. No final decisions have been made yet on how exactly the trapped crew will return to Earth and when this will happen.
Ken Bowersox from NASA mentioned that this is a "new situation, but the agency has many options." He emphasised that there is no need to bring the crew back using Starliner. - We can retrieve the crew with another vehicle - he said. One of the options, besides SpaceX's Crew-9, is also the Russian Soyuz.
The impact of the malfunction on the ISS crew
Astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore, despite the challenging conditions, strive to remain optimistic. - We are doing our utmost to maintain morale and efficiency during this unexpected situation - Williams said in one of the interviews. The delays in returning to Earth pose an additional challenge not only technically but also psychologically.
During the extended stay on the ISS, the crew engaged in a series of scientific experiments and daily activities necessary to keep the station in good technical condition. This helps them maintain activity and concentration, which is crucial in the challenging conditions of outer space.
The efforts of engineers and technicians are currently focused on identifying the causes of the malfunctions and making necessary repairs. The next steps include detailed tests of all capsule systems to ensure that similar issues do not occur in the future. NASA also plans to take additional measures, such as introducing more rigorous control protocols for future missions.
The Starliner malfunction provides valuable lessons
NASA has held several press conferences where representatives of the agency and Boeing assured their determination in solving Starliner's technical problems. During one of the conferences, a NASA spokesperson stated: "The safety of our crew is our number one priority; we will not rest until we bring them safely back to Earth."
The entire situation with the Starliner malfunction has a significant impact on future missions of NASA and Boeing. The extended stay of the astronauts on the ISS is an experience that provides valuable lessons on crisis management in space. In the future, the agencies plan to introduce additional procedures to enhance the safety of crewed missions.
