Produced by: Tarun Mishra Designed by: Manoj Kumar
NASA has announced plans to collaborate with Elon Musk’s SpaceX to rescue astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams, stranded on the ISS since June 2024 due to Boeing’s Starliner issues.
Wilmore and Williams, originally scheduled for an eight-day mission, may now spend nearly eight months in space, potentially returning to Earth in February 2025.
The Boeing Starliner, part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, has faced multiple malfunctions, including thruster failures and helium leaks, since its maiden crewed flight in June 2024.
NASA officials have announced that astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams, currently on the ISS via Boeing’s Starliner, might return to Earth in February 2025 using SpaceX’s Crew Dragon if Starliner remains unsafe. A final decision on the Starliner’s viability is expected later this month, following a detailed assessment of the propulsion system problems experienced in June.
Steve Stich, NASA’s Commercial Crew Program manager, emphasized the importance of having a viable backup plan and confirmed ongoing close collaboration with SpaceX.
SpaceX, which has been successfully ferrying astronauts to the ISS since 2020, is seen as a reliable partner. The company’s Crew Dragon has a strong track record.
Despite the extended mission and challenging circumstances, both Wilmore and Williams remain positive and focused on their work aboard the ISS.
The situation highlights the inherent risks of human spaceflight and underscores the resilience and ingenuity required to address unforeseen problems in space exploration.