Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla has been chosen as the first Indian astronaut to embark on an upcoming Indo-US mission to the International Space Station (ISS), according to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair has been designated as Shukla’s backup for the mission.
NASA is facing an overcrowding issue at the International Space Station (ISS) as the return date of the Boeing Starliner spacecraft carrying Sunita Williams and Butch Willmore remains uncertain due to technical glitches. The Starliner’s return is crucial before the launch of the SpaceX Crew9 mission, scheduled for August 18th. While the astronauts are not stranded, the delays have raised concerns about the ISS’s capacity.
SpaceX is gearing up for the fifth test flight of its Starship rocket, which could involve the first attempt to catch the Super Heavy booster as it returns to Earth. The company plans to use two giant mechanical arms to secure the booster and place it back on the launchpad, enabling reusability and cost savings. While the maneuver is not guaranteed to work on the first try, SpaceX engineers are optimistic about refining the procedure over time.
SpaceX has shifted the target launch date for its historic Polaris Dawn mission to mid-to-late August due to a focus on the Crew-9 mission to the International Space Station. The Polaris Dawn mission will see four non-professional astronauts fly on a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft to an orbit further from Earth than any previous Crew Dragon flight, aiming to break records with a commercial spacewalk and conduct research on spaceflight effects.
NASA and Boeing will hold a media teleconference on July 25th to discuss the status of the Starliner Crew Flight Test mission, including the return of astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams. The teleconference will provide insights into the investigation of propulsion system issues that have delayed the astronauts’ return and the ground testing being conducted to ensure a safe landing.
SpaceX has announced a July 31 launch date for its ambitious Polaris Dawn mission, which will see four nonprofessional astronauts embark on a five-day journey to a record-breaking altitude above Earth. The mission will include a historic commercial spacewalk and research aimed at advancing human spaceflight capabilities.
NASA has further delayed the return of the Boeing Starliner crew from the International Space Station due to technical issues, prompting concerns about the mission’s schedule. The postponement comes after multiple failures in the spacecraft’s systems, raising questions about the safety and reliability of the Starliner program. This delay adds to the program’s existing challenges, including cost overruns and past technical difficulties.
NASA has again postponed the return of the Starliner spacecraft to Earth, carrying astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, from the International Space Station (ISS). The decision was made to allow for further review of technical issues encountered during the mission. The new return date has not been announced, but the spacecraft was initially scheduled to land on June 26. Williams and Wilmore, who launched on June 5, have been in orbit for over two weeks and made history during their flight.
Indian-American astronaut Sunita Williams’ return to Earth aboard the Boeing Starliner spacecraft has been further postponed due to technical issues. The spacecraft, currently docked at the International Space Station (ISS), will remain in orbit for additional time as NASA reviews its performance and conducts further tests. The delay, initially attributed to spacewalks planned at the ISS, has now raised concerns about a longer duration of Williams’ spaceflight. The Starliner’s previous test flights encountered multiple technical failures, adding to the complexity of the situation.
NASA has announced a further delay in the return of Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft from the International Space Station, citing the need for more time to assess technical issues encountered during the mission. The delay leaves uncertainty about the return date for astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams, who are currently aboard the station. The Starliner program has faced several challenges, including thruster failures, helium leaks, and valve issues. The delay provides valuable time for NASA and Boeing to analyze the issues and ensure a safe return for the crew.
