52 Days in Space: Sunita Williams of NASA will be there indefinitely, and her return date is still unknown
After a 10-day mission evolved into an extended experience, Indian-American astronaut Sunita Williams and her colleague Butch Wilmore are now stationed on the International Space Station (ISS) for an indefinite stay. The two were supposed to be back on Earth by now after taking out on Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft on June 5. However, a number of unforeseen technological problems have caused a delay in their return.
With its intended purpose of moving astronauts back and forth between Earth and space, the Starliner has run into serious issues. Among these are five helium leaks, a propellant valve that isn’t working properly, and five out of the 28 thrusters have failed. The spacecraft’s return timeline has been significantly hampered by these issues, keeping Williams and Wilmore in orbit far longer than planned.
NASA engineers and Boeing’s Starliner team are putting in a lot of overtime to resolve the problems. Recent updates from Boeing Space indicate that the spacecraft’s Reaction Control System thrusters are the focus of ground testing and data checks, indicating progress.
During today's docked hot fire test, #Starliner thrusters performed at peak thrust rating values, and the helium system remained stable. Data will be reviewed and included in flight rationale for the Crew Flight Test undocking from @Space_Station and return to Earth.
— Boeing Space (@BoeingSpace) July 27, 2024
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NASA has not yet established a precise return timeframe, though August is one possible landing date.
Vice president and program manager for Boeing’s Starliner, Mark Nappi, voiced confidence in the spacecraft’s capabilities. Nappi declared, “I’m very confident we have a good vehicle to bring the crew back.”
At first, the director of NASA’s commercial crew program had anticipated for a return by the end of July.
The current trip is critical to Boeing since it is the last obstacle in the way of the Starliner obtaining NASA approval for regular astronaut flights.
To learn more about and find a solution for the spacecraft’s technical issues, a number of experiments, including those carried out at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center and the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico, are being carried out.
Williams and Wilmore remain upbeat in the face of uncertainty. Williams said, “I have a very strong feeling that this spacecraft will bring us home, no problem.”
Wilmore agreed with her and emphasized their shared dedication to the mission’s accomplishment. “As you’ve probably heard, failing is not an option,” he declared. We’re staying because we intend to test it, which is the reason. We carry out the task.
Williams provided a first-hand account earlier this month of seeing a storm from orbit turn into a hurricane.
Williams and astronaut Butch Wilmore described witnessing an incredible change in the weather phenomenon in a live press conference from orbit.
“It’s a pretty impressive hurricane,” Williams said the broadcast. She described how she had watched the storm form from a system off the African coast to the strong hurricane that now threatened the Texas coast.
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