Astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore left Earth and went to the International Space Station (ISS) two months ago. The mission to the ISS was initially set for eight days. However, the Boeing Starliner Spacecraft has been going through critical issues due to which Williams and Wilmore’s return to Earth has been postponed.
8-Day Mission Extended Due To Technical Issues
The Boeing Company has found itself under scrutiny after astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore have been stranded on the spacecraft for more than 60 days now, while they initially only planned for an eight-day mission. The two astronauts departed the Earth without taking along their own toiletries and other personal comforts and belongings as they had expected to return back after about a week. The two went on the mission on June 5 this year and the mission intended to test the capabilities of the Boeing Starliner Capsule. The Starliner is now experiencing technical issues.
Boeing To Resort To Plan B If Issues Not Resolved By February
After Williams and Wilmore’s stay at the ISS extended to over 60 days, NASA has surprisingly shared that they might now possibly remain there through early 2025 as the Starliner capsule is facing major ongoing issues. However, NASA also claimed that it is trying its best to resolve the complexities and the astronauts’ arrival might even come earlier than expected. The Starliner has further stated that if the capsule remains unsafe for long and the two astronauts’ stay is extended till February next year, they’ll resort to a plan B with astronauts reaching back aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon Capsule instead.
Sunita Williams And Butch Wilmore Take Up Tasks In The Orbiting Laboratory
As of now, astronaut Sunita Williams and colleague Butch Wilmore are guests and not part of Expedition 71, which is the international crew of the ISS, consisting of seven crew members. The members serve as the official staff of the space station. NASA has reported that Williams and Wilmore have blended well with the crew, taking up regular tasks abroad in the orbiting laboratory. The two will expected to turn into full-time crew members if they fail to arrive by early 2025.