Sunita Williams stuck on ISS for over 2 weeks: What is the reason for the delay?
Indian-American astronaut Sunita Williams and her co-astronaut Butch Wilmore are stuck on the International Space Station (ISS). Multiple technical issues have delayed the return of the Boeing Starliner spacecraft, according to US space agency NASA.
NASA has decided to conduct an additional review of the spacecraft’s technical problems before allowing the return to ensure the safety of the astronauts.
The return was initially planned for June 13, but the astronauts’ departure has been postponed multiple times. As of right now, the agency has not provided a return date.
After multiple delays, Sunita Williams and US astronaut Butch Wilmore departed for the International Space Station on June 5 aboard Boeing’s Starliner.
Delay in safe return to Earth
The reason for this delay is multiple helium leaks found on Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft during its first crewed mission to the ISS. Boeing and NASA engineers are actively resolving the issue to guarantee the safe return of astronauts.
NASA has reported that the spacecraft is “performing well in orbit while docked to the space station”. The space agency further added that astronauts Wilmore and Sunita Williams can un-dock from the space station and return to Earth if needed.
They are not “stranded” but are staying in orbit beyond their scheduled return to give mission teams enough time to analyse the propulsion system data. US-based Newsweek quoted NASA’s commercial crew programme manager Steve Stich as saying, “We are taking our time and following our standard mission management team procedure.” He added, “We are letting the data inform our decision-making for managing the small helium system leak and thruster performance.” So, what happens if Starliner’s thrusters fail to perform? If the thrusters malfunction during the spacecraft’s return trip, it could potentially strand Sunita Williams and her crewmate in space.
First crewed flight of Boeing’s Starliner As part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, this mission represents the first manned trip for the Starliner spacecraft. Its purpose was to thoroughly evaluate the spacecraft’s performance throughout all phases — from launch and docking to a safe return to Earth over the western United States. Following the successful manned test flight, NASA will take the final steps to certify the Starliner and its systems for upcoming crewed missions to the space station.
