american astronauts Butch Wilmore And Sunita Williamswhich took off on June 5 on a test mission to International Space Station (ISS) on board Starliner to BoeingThey face the prospect of staying in space until 2025.
The mission was originally expected to last only eight days. However, during the approach to International Space Stationthe Starliner They encountered problems, including leaks in their propulsion system and the shutdown of some of their propulsion devices. Although they arrived safely at the station, they may need alternative means of transportation to return to the station. Land if Starliner Not considered safe.
NASA and Astronaut Return Options
the a pot Several options are being considered for the return of astronauts:
1️⃣ The main option for them is to return to StarlinerHowever, extensive testing is being conducted to discover the causes of the propulsion failure and helium leaks discovered during the mission.
Boeing Starliner, in the midst of controversy.Source: NASA
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2️⃣ The alternative is for astronauts to join a mission. SpaceX Crew Dragon Scheduled to land in September and return with that mission in February 2025. That means they will spend more than eight months in International Space Station Instead of the eight days initially scheduled.
👀If you are using Dragon crewthe Starliner It will return to Earth unmanned, under computer control. This will be a blow to Boeingwhich I have tried for years to compete with SpaceX The more experience you have Dragon crew.
How does life fit in on the International Space Station?
Despite the delay, Wilmore And Williams It is well integrated into the daily life and work of the Mission 71. International Space StationThey both had previous experience on the station, so adapting and cooperating with the other seven crew members was no problem for them.
“We're having a great time in the International Space Station“For us, it feels like coming home,” he said. “We’re not complaining about having a few extra weeks.” Wilmore, a former fighter pilot, has been to space twice before, while Williams, a former Navy helicopter pilot, is on his third trip to space. International Space Station.
NASA has not made a decision yet.
Officials in a pot They noted that it could take a week or more to make a final decision on the astronauts’ return. Although they will spend much longer in space than originally planned, others have spent much longer, such as Russian Valery Polyakov, who spent 437 days on the Mir space station in the 1990s.
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