Two NASA astronauts are stranded in the middle of space with no date for their return to Earth. Barry Wilmore and Sunita Williams are at the International Space Station (ISS) due to mechanical problems with their Boeing Starliner spacecraft.
The ship took off on June 5 from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, with flight commander Barry “Butch” Wilmore and flight pilot Sunita “Suni” Williams on board.
The flight was part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program and sought to certify Boeing spacecraft so that they could carry out routine ISS missions.
The astronauts were expected to return to Earth on June 14, but this was not possible; The date has had different delays and it has not yet been defined when they will be able to return.
“We took our time and followed our standard mission management process,” Steve Stich, NASA’s Commercial Crew Program manager, told ABC News.
See more: The Moon will have its own schedule and NASA scientists have the task of defining it
Stich explained that small leaks are occurring in the helium system, as well as problems with the performance of the thrusters.
NASA and Boeing affirmed that the astronauts are not in danger and have enough supplies to be in orbit.
Boeing vice president and Starliner program manager Mark Nappi said the astronauts have received their experience inside the ship positively.
“Feedback from the crew has been overwhelmingly positive, and they know that every learning we gain from the Crew Flight Test will improve and refine our experience for future crews,” he said.
The ship had already failed
The Starliner spacecraft has faced multiple setbacks ahead of its launch. The flight test was initially tentatively scheduled for May 6 this year, but was cancelled due to a problem with an oxygen valve on a rocket from United Launch Alliance (ULA), the company that manufactures and operates the rockets that launch spacecraft into space.
A new launch date was later set for May 25, but a small helium leak was discovered in the service module.
After docking at the ISS, five small helium leaks were detected. At the time, NASA and Boeing claimed there was enough helium for the return mission. Wilmore and Williams are contributing to station operations and completing objectives necessary for possible certification of the Starliner.
It may interest you:
