Two NASA astronauts are stranded in the middle of space with no return date due to various mechanical problems with their Boeing Starliner spacecraft.
These are flight commander Barry Wilmore and flight pilot Sunia Williams, who took off on June 6 from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, in Florida, United States, on a flight that was part of the Crew Program NASA commercial.
The purpose of the trip was to certify Boeing spacecraft for routine missions to the International Space Station (ISS).
Both were expected to return on June 14, but the ship began to have multiple technical problems and so far, they have no date for their return to Earth.
NASA Commercial Crew Program Manager Steve Stich explained that they are handling small leaks in the helium system and issues with the performance of the observer thrusters during docking and approach.
Meanwhile, NASA and Boeing confirmed that the crew is out of danger and they have enough supplies to be in orbit.
For his part, Boeing vice president and Starliner program manager Mark Nappi, mentioned that the astronauts received their practice inside the ship positively: “they know that every learning we obtain in the Crew Flight Test will improve and perfect our experience. for future crews.”
Stairliner failures
It was learned that the ship faced multiple failures and inconveniences before its launch. Initially, the flight test was scheduled for May 6 of this year but was canceled due to a problem with the oxygen valve on a United Launch Alliance (ULA) rocket, the company that manufactures and operates the rockets that launch the rocket. space.
Later, the event was going to take place on May 25, although on that occasion it was also postponed due to a small helium leak in the service module.
Additionally, after the ISS docking, five more small helium leaks were discovered. By that time, NASA and Boeing assured that there was enough helium for the return mission.
