NASA’s Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams encountered issues with Starliner propulsion module which delayed their return from the International Space Station. Boeing and NASA are assessing the risks to determine if it is safe for the astronauts to fly back in Starliner. Alternatives include bringing Wilmore and Williams home on a SpaceX mission. However, there is ongoing uncertainty about the exact problem and the decision is pending. If Starliner returns empty, SpaceX’s Crew-9 mission could follow, with the duo joining Expedition 72 until February. This setback adds to Starliner’s troubled development history and underscores SpaceX’s reliability in the U.S. space program. Concerns mainly revolve around thrusters and helium leaks, with ongoing tests to identify the root cause. NASA is working with both companies to ensure safe astronaut transport to and from the ISS in the future.
For more updates on this developing story, stay tuned to NASA and Boeing’s official announcements as they navigate through the challenges in the realm of space exploration. Image source: .
With files from Bloomberg and the Associated Press