Sunita Williams stuck in space: NASA reveal technical issues with Starliner that makes the return risky
The Starliner spaceship took off from Earth with NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore on June 5 and was slated to return on June 13.
- Jun 27, 2024,
- Updated Jun 27, 2024 12:38 PM IST
Indian-American NASA astronaut Sunita Williams along with Butch Wilmore are currently stuck in space on a Starliner spacecraft. Originally scheduled to be an 8-day mission, the astronauts and their crew members are struggling to make their way back to Earth. It has been revealed that the spacecraft has witnessed five helium leaks since its departure from Earth. It was also revealed that five manoeuvring thrusters went dead and a propellant valve failed to close completely. This was Starliner’s first crewed mission as a part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program.
Notably, the Starliner spaceship took off from Earth on June 5 and was slated to return on June 13. This space mission aimed to test Starliner's capabilities from launch to docking at the ISS and, its safe return to Earth. Currently, no set date for the return has been announced.
As per a report by New York Post, Elon Musk’s SpaceX, Boeing rival, can help rescue the astronauts and other crew members from the space in its Crew Dragon spaceship. Notably, SpaceX, with its Crew Dragon capsule, is the only other company currently certified by NASA to transport astronauts to and from the ISS.
For Unparalleled coverage of India's Businesses and Economy – Subscribe to Business Today Magazine
Indian-American NASA astronaut Sunita Williams along with Butch Wilmore are currently stuck in space on a Starliner spacecraft. Originally scheduled to be an 8-day mission, the astronauts and their crew members are struggling to make their way back to Earth. It has been revealed that the spacecraft has witnessed five helium leaks since its departure from Earth. It was also revealed that five manoeuvring thrusters went dead and a propellant valve failed to close completely. This was Starliner’s first crewed mission as a part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program.
Notably, the Starliner spaceship took off from Earth on June 5 and was slated to return on June 13. This space mission aimed to test Starliner's capabilities from launch to docking at the ISS and, its safe return to Earth. Currently, no set date for the return has been announced.
As per a report by New York Post, Elon Musk’s SpaceX, Boeing rival, can help rescue the astronauts and other crew members from the space in its Crew Dragon spaceship. Notably, SpaceX, with its Crew Dragon capsule, is the only other company currently certified by NASA to transport astronauts to and from the ISS.
For Unparalleled coverage of India's Businesses and Economy – Subscribe to Business Today Magazine