Produced by: Tarun Mishra
Indian-American astronaut Sunita Williams and fellow astronaut Butch Wilmore have been on the International Space Station (ISS) for over five months, exceeding their planned stay. Their return to Earth has been delayed due to technical issues with Boeing's Starliner spacecraft.
NASA has reported a growing number of cracks and leaks aboard the ISS, now exceeding 50. This increase in structural damage has raised concerns about the long-term safety of the astronauts and the station’s ability to sustain its crew.
The extent of the damage has reached a level where the safety of the entire crew aboard the ISS is no longer guaranteed. NASA is closely monitoring the situation, seeking immediate solutions to address the structural challenges.
Credit: NASA
The Starliner spacecraft, intended to bring Williams and Wilmore back to Earth, has faced repeated technical setbacks. Originally planned for a June return, the mission has been postponed multiple times, with no definitive timeline currently in place.
Boeing’s Crew Flight Test, a critical milestone in the spacecraft’s development, has encountered persistent glitches. These delays have left astronauts reliant on the ISS’s compromised infrastructure for an extended period.
The Starliner mission is integral to NASA’s strategy for maintaining a consistent human presence in space. It aims to provide an alternative to the Russian Soyuz spacecraft for crew transportation, ensuring redundancy in space travel capabilities.
A leaked NASA report has highlighted significant concerns about the station’s structural integrity. The findings emphasize the urgent need for repairs to prevent further risks to the crew and the station itself.
With no immediate solution in sight, both the astronauts’ return and the ISS's stability remain uncertain. NASA and Boeing are working to resolve the issues, but the challenges underscore the complexities of sustaining human operations in space.