When will astronaut Sunita Williams return to Earth? What did NASA say
Indian-origin astronaut Sunita Williams’ plans to return to Earth have been delayed once again after the spacecraft she flew into space, the Boeing Starliner, suffered several technical glitches.
The astronaut, who left Earth on June 5, was scheduled to return on June 14 after a week in space. However, her return was delayed to June 26. Now, NASA has not given any new date for her return.
NDTV had reported that the space agency has extended Ms Williams’ stay on the space station after five helium leaks were detected on the Starliner spacecraft and problems were encountered with five of its 28 thrusters. For a safe return, a minimum of 14 thrusters are required.
At present, both Ms Williams and her partner Butch Wilmore are safe on the International Space Station along with seven other crew members. Astronauts from several space agencies use the International Space Station (ISS), a “mini city in space” about the size of a football field, for research.
NASA stated at a press conference that it was “taking its time and following its standard Mission Management Team procedure,” noting that spacecraft are permitted to return in the event that a crew emergency on the space station necessitates their return to Earth.
