NASA Updates on Sunita Williams' Return Timeline

Astronauts Sunita Williams and Butchwilmore have been stuck in space since June 6 and were hoping to return to Earth soon. However, NASA stated that they may have to stay put for the next few months in uncertainty. 

Owing to recent social media concerns about the astronauts running out of food and oxygen during their extended stay, NASA officials sought to calm public fear, clarifying that despite the malfunctioning thrusters of the Starliner, the astronauts are thankfully not in immediate danger of running out of food or oxygen. They assured that the space station is stocked with ample provisions to support the crew for an extended period, including the possibility of further delays. 

Initially set to return after only eight days, the said mission was delayed by more than two months due to great technical difficulties relating to the Boeing Starliner spacecraft. As the spacecraft approached the orbiting lab, it experienced a series of technical issues such as the failure of several thrusters and helium leaks in the propulsion system.

NASA was exploring alternative options to bring the astronauts back safely. One potential solution was using SpaceX's Crew Dragon spacecraft, scheduled for departure in September 2024, which is what NASA ultimately resorted to.

"Wilmore and Williams will continue their work formally as part of the Expedition 71/72 crew through February 2025. They will fly home aboard a Dragon spacecraft with two other crew members assigned to the agency's SpaceX Crew-9 mission. Starliner is expected to depart from the space station and make a safe, controlled autonomous re-entry and landing in early September,"

stated NASA.

Moreover, they also said that the Boeing Starliner capsule will return from the International Space Station without Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, owing to certain unknown risks. 

The agency is urgently working on a safe return strategy, and senior officials are set to convene soon to finalize the crucial specifics. NASA continues to prioritise the health and safety of its astronauts as the world watches, taking all necessary measures to secure their safe return to Earth.