Indian-origin astronaut Sunita Williams’ return to Earth from the International Space Station (ISS) aboard the Boeing Starliner spacecraft has been further delayed. NASA’s decision to postpone the return flight comes after a thorough review of the spacecraft’s technical issues. While NASA initially attributed the delay to planned spacewalks at the ISS, the lack of a new return date has sparked concerns about a longer stay for Williams in space.
Williams’ return, initially scheduled for June 14, was first postponed to June 26. However, NASA has now announced that they are evaluating “future return opportunities” following the station’s two planned spacewalks on June 24 and July 2. This extension comes as a result of ongoing investigations into technical issues encountered by the Starliner spacecraft during previous test flights.
The Starliner’s earlier unmanned test flights were plagued with multiple failures, including malfunctions in its maneuvering thrusters, leaks in helium gas, and a slow-moving propellant valve. In an effort to ensure the safety of the crew and the success of the mission, NASA is taking a cautious approach, extending the Starliner’s stay at the ISS to conduct thorough inspections and perform necessary upgrades.
“We are taking our time and following our standard mission management team process,” said Steve Stich, NASA’s commercial crew program manager. He highlighted that the Starliner is performing well in orbit and that the additional time in space will provide valuable insights into system upgrades for future missions.
Boeing, the company behind the Starliner spacecraft, has faced significant cost overruns, exceeding its initial $4.5 billion NASA development contract by nearly $1.5 billion. The successful completion of this spaceflight is crucial for Boeing, as it aims to become the second company, after SpaceX, to transport astronauts to the ISS.
Despite the delays, NASA remains optimistic about the Starliner’s future, emphasizing its commitment to rigorous testing and analysis to ensure the safety and reliability of the spacecraft. The extended stay in orbit presents an opportunity for valuable data collection and system improvements, setting the stage for future missions and the continued advancement of space exploration.
