NASA has made the decision to delay the return of two astronauts from the International Space Station due to safety concerns with Boeing’s new Starliner capsule. Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams are now scheduled to return in a SpaceX spacecraft in February, extending what was supposed to be a weeklong test flight to more than eight months.
The decision comes after a series of thruster failures and helium leaks marred the initial trip to the space station, leaving the astronauts stranded. Boeing had hoped that this mission would revive the troubled Starliner program, but the delays and safety concerns have added to the company’s woes.
Despite the setbacks, NASA is not giving up on Boeing, as the company still has a significant contract for astronaut ferrying services. SpaceX has already successfully completed several missions, while Boeing has faced design flaws and setbacks that have cost the company over $1 billion. NASA officials are hopeful that Starliner’s issues can be resolved in time for future crew flights.
The delay in Wilmore and Williams’ return has also impacted other astronauts at the space station, as they will have to wait longer for their ride home. NASA determined that it would be unsafe to bring them back in the already crowded spacecraft, and the Russian Soyuz capsule is only capable of flying three people.
While the situation is disappointing for the astronauts and NASA, the hope is that these setbacks will ultimately lead to a safer and more successful space program in the future.
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