Two American astronauts stranded at the International Space Station (ISS) on July 10 expressed their confidence that the Boeing Starliner, currently facing issues, will soon bring them home, despite potential risks still being present.
Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams launched into space on June 5 aboard the new spacecraft that NASA hopes to certify for transporting crews to and from the orbital outpost. The astronauts arrived a day later with an expected stay of about a week, but their return has been delayed due to a propulsion system malfunction and a helium leak discovered during the mission.
Two American astronauts stranded at the International Space Station (ISS). (Photo: NASA).
As of now, their return date has not been set, but NASA officials stated on July 10 that they are hopeful for a return “by the end of July.”
When asked during a live call from the station if they still believe in the Starliner team and the spacecraft, mission commander Wilmore stated, “We are completely confident. I really feel good in my heart that the spacecraft will bring us home, no question about it.”
The female astronaut mentioned that they continue to enjoy their time on the ISS, carrying out tasks such as replacing pumps in the urine processing system to convert it into drinking water and conducting scientific experiments like gene sequencing in a microgravity environment. They have also tested the Starliner as a “safe haven” in case of emergencies on the ISS and assessed the life support system’s capability with four people inside.
However, NASA official Steve Stich noted that many uncertainties remain, including whether the malfunctioning orientation control thrusters have degraded. This could necessitate reliance on other thrusters during the landing process.
Mr. Steve Stich emphasized that NASA has not yet considered bringing Williams and Wilmore back aboard the SpaceX Crew Dragon.
In 2014, both SpaceX and Boeing were awarded contracts worth billions of dollars by NASA to develop crewed spacecraft following the retirement of the Space Shuttle program. SpaceX successfully conducted its crewed test flight in 2020 and has since transported dozens of people into space.
