What was originally planned as a 10-day mission to the International Space Station (ISS) for NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams aboard Boeing’s Starliner could now extend to as long as eight months. NASA announced on Wednesday that the astronauts, who launched in June, might need to return to Earth in February 2025 using SpaceX’s Crew Dragon if the Starliner is still deemed unsafe for reentry.
Wilmore and Williams have been stationed at the ISS since June 6, following their launch aboard the Boeing Starliner. However, the mission has been plagued by issues with the spacecraft’s propulsion system, including a series of helium leaks. Due to these glitches, NASA is exploring several return options, with the Crew Dragon capsule being a likely alternative to bring the astronauts back to Earth in early 2025.
The situation has extended the mission well beyond its initial eight-day timeline, and while efforts to fix the Starliner’s issues continue, NASA is preparing for the possibility of a prolonged stay at the ISS. Currently, nine astronauts, including Wilmore and Williams, are aboard the station, with sufficient food and supplies to sustain them for the time being. However, all must eventually return to Earth, making a reliable return option critical.
The Starliner mission was a high-stakes test required before NASA could certify the spacecraft for routine astronaut flights. The unexpected problems with the propulsion system have forced both Boeing and NASA to work urgently on solutions to ensure the spacecraft’s safety and reliability.
In the meantime, Sunita Williams, a veteran astronaut on her third space mission, has been conducting important research aboard the ISS. Among her many tasks, she has been investigating how to use fluid physics, particularly surface tension, to manage watering and nourishing plants in the microgravity environment of space. This research is a vital step in understanding how plants grow and adapt to space conditions, which will be crucial for future human endeavors to establish bases on the Moon, Mars, and beyond.
