Veteran NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams became the first astronauts to travel aboard the Starliner spacecraft on June 5 when they launched to the ISS for an expected eight-day test mission.
However, they have been stuck on the ISS for weeks since then. The reason is that the Starliner's propulsion system encountered a series of problems while flying to the ISS and could not guarantee that the astronauts could return safely.
NASA officials told reporters at a press conference in Houston that Wilmore and Williams are both willing to stay longer. They will use their free time to conduct science experiments with the seven other astronauts on the ISS.
Astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams have been stuck on the ISS for weeks. Photo: NASA
The two astronauts are now scheduled to return in February 2025 aboard SpaceX's Crew Dragon spacecraft, according to NASA. Two of the four astronaut seats on the Crew Dragon will be left empty for Wilmore and Williams.
Putting its trust in Boeing to fly astronauts into space is arguably one of NASA’s worst decisions in years. Boeing’s Starliner project has been plagued by problems for years and has been more than $1.6 billion over budget since 2016.
Five of Starliner's 28 thrusters failed during flight and it leaked some helium, used to pressurize the thrusters, although it was still able to successfully reach and dock with the ISS.
NASA said in a statement that Starliner will be forced to separate from the ISS and return to Earth without its crew in early September.
“I know this is not the decision we expected, but we are prepared to take the necessary actions to support NASA’s decision,” said Boeing Starliner chief Mark Nappi.
Bui Huy (according to NASA, Reuters, CNN)
Source: https://www.congluan.vn/spacex-se-den-iss-giai-cuu-hai-phi-hanh-gia-di-tau-cua-boeing-vao-nam-sau-post309164.html
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