After
Two astronauts stranded in space for 49 days — 41 days longer than their planned mission — will remain aboard the International Space Station for at least a few more weeks because the Boeing-built return vehicle is riddled with leaks, officials said Thursday.
Astronauts Butch Willmore and Suni Williams spent just eight days in space after their first crewed launch aboard the Boeing Starliner.
Once in space, the astronauts encountered a persistent helium leak and were testing whether the craft could be used to return them to Earth.
Now, they are expected to remain in orbit until August, Steve Stich, manager of NASA's Commercial Crew program, told reporters.
NASA and Boeing experts said final tests of the Starliner's boosters, scheduled for this weekend, must be completed before the astronauts return home.
If the propulsion tests prove successful and the helium leaks are stable, NASA will schedule an organizational review next week that will set an official date for Willmore and Williams' return.
“The primary objective is to get Butch and Suni back on the Starliner,” Stich added.
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