NASA Confirms SpaceX Will Return 2 Astronauts
Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore to Earth
Los Angeles/Aug 26, 2024
NRIpress.club/Ramesh/ A.Gary Singh
Two NASA astronauts, Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore, who have been orbiting the Earth for over two months, are scheduled to return home in February 2025 aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft.
NASA has announced that the Boeing Starliner spacecraft, which initially ferried the astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS), will return to Earth "un-crewed" due to unresolved technical issues. Originally intended for an eight-day mission, the astronauts’ stay has been extended to roughly eight months after the Starliner encountered multiple problems, including helium leaks and thruster malfunctions.
Both Boeing and SpaceX, who received multi-billion-dollar contracts from NASA for commercial crew missions, have faced challenges. While SpaceX has successfully completed nine crewed missions, Boeing’s Starliner had its first crewed mission delayed by technical difficulties. Engineers from both Boeing and NASA have been working diligently to address the Starliner's issues, but the spacecraft will not be ready for a crewed return.
To facilitate the astronauts' safe return, NASA has opted to extend their ISS mission until SpaceX's next Crew Dragon flight at the end of September. This flight, initially planned for four astronauts, will now accommodate Williams and Wilmore as well, ensuring their return to Earth at the end of the mission.
Both astronauts, who are experienced space travelers, are fully supportive of the extended mission and will continue their work on the ISS, including scientific research and maintenance tasks. Boeing remains focused on the safe and successful return of the un-crewed Starliner, as directed by NASA.
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