Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams have been stranded in space for weeks.
They were scheduled to return home on June 14th but have now been stranded in space for ten weeks without even knowing when the end date might be.
Critical Leaks
Everything was going as planned until their Boeing Starliner capsule developed leaks which made it unsafe.
In trying to identify the problem and find a solution, NASA has ended up delaying the return of the two astronauts for the whole summer.
Undocking Date
The date for undocking the Starliner capsule from the International Space Station is tentatively set at September 6th.
This date takes account of the battery life on the Starliner which is only designed to last for a limited time. Its undocking date from the ISS, however, does not mean that the two astronauts will be on board. It may still be seemed unsafe.
Possible New Capsule
It is possible that once the Boeing Starliner is undocked from the ISS, NASA could send a different craft up to collect the two astronauts.
However, if they were to do that then the astronauts’ mission would have to be extended by another several months until February 2025.
The World is Waiting
The world is waiting with baited breath to see what NASA will decide.
Today, Saturday 24th August is when NASA is expected to announce their decision.
Boeing Insists it is Safe
Boeing insists that their space capsule is safe and is capable of flying the astronuats home.
Given the safety issues with many of their aircraft in recent years, there is some reason for doubt on this issue, however.
NASA Will Not Take Chances
NASA’s decision follows a thorough review of the Starliner craft to see if it is safe enough to fly the two astronauts home.
Kenneth Bowersox, associate administrator for NASA’s Space Operations Mission Directorate, says: “We’ve got time available before we bring Starliner home and we want to use that time wisely.” Given that two people’s lives hang in the balance, that is not surprising.
Financial Implications
Boeing has been very troubled in recent years, with serious questions about its safety and the way the company is run.
Now, it has to consider the financial implications of this failed space mssion. The Starliner programme has already cost $1.5 billion and more is set to come. Given that the new capsule was meant to be used as regular transport to and from the ISS, this isn’t looking good.
Not Bored
Although the two astronauts are stuck in space when they weren’t meant to be, they are not twiddling their thumbs.
They have plenty of supplies to keep them well fed and they also have plenty of work to do, according to Scott Hubbard of NASA.
Soap Opera
It seems in recent weeks that the tale of the two astronauts stuck in space has turned into a soap opera with the world tuning in to see what will happen next.
Today we may finally find out what the fate of the two astronaust will be.
