NASA Astronauts Stranded in Space

NASA is set to make a crucial decision by the end of August regarding the return of astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams, who have been stranded on the International Space Station (ISS) since June due to malfunctions in Boeing's Starliner spacecraft. Initially intended for an eight-day mission, the astronauts have remained in orbit for over two months as engineers analyze issues with the Starliner's propulsion system, which has experienced multiple thruster failures and helium leaks. Ken Bowersox, NASA's associate administrator for Space Operations, emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating that a decision is needed soon. The current plan involves potentially sending the Starliner back to Earth without a crew, while Wilmore and Williams could return aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule in February 2025. This scenario would mark a significant setback for Boeing, which has faced ongoing technical challenges with the Starliner. NASA officials have expressed confidence in the astronauts' well-being aboard the ISS, noting that they are engaged in their work and have sufficient supplies. Boeing has been actively involved in discussions with NASA, presenting data from extensive thruster testing. However, the ongoing issues have raised concerns about the spacecraft's safety for crewed return. If the decision is made to utilize the Crew Dragon for the astronauts' return, the Starliner would undock autonomously and return empty, highlighting the complexities of the situation and the need for careful evaluation of the spacecraft's capabilities.