Sunita Williams to celebrate Diwali and Christmas in space as NASA cancels 'Dangerous Boeing Starliner' Mission return over safety concerns
Produced by: Tarun Mishra Designed by: Manoj Kumar
NASA Decision on Starliner Capsule
NASA has decided to return Boeing's Starliner capsule to Earth without astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore onboard due to safety concerns. This decision follows technical challenges experienced with the spacecraft since its launch in June 2024.
Credit : NASA
Assured Safety of ISS Supplies
NASA has confirmed that the food and oxygen supplies aboard the International Space Station (ISS) are sufficient to support the crew for the extended duration of their stay. There are no immediate concerns about running out of essential supplies.
Credit : NASA
Reason for Uncrewed Return
The Starliner’s return will be uncrewed to prioritize astronaut safety and allow for the collection of critical test data. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson emphasized the inherent risks in spaceflight and the importance of safety in this decision.
Extended Stay for Williams and Wilmore
Astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore will remain aboard the ISS as part of Expedition 71/72 until February 2025. They will continue their work involving research, maintenance, and system testing.
Return Plan
Williams and Wilmore are scheduled to return to Earth in February 2025 aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule. They will be joined by two other crew members from SpaceX’s Crew-9 mission.
Uncrewed Starliner Return Schedule
The uncrewed Starliner is set to return to Earth in early September 2024. The return will be conducted through a controlled autonomous re-entry and landing.
NASA’s Commitment to Safety
NASA’s decision reflects its commitment to minimizing risks while ensuring the collection of valuable data for future missions. The agency continues to prioritize astronaut safety as a core value.
Upcoming Space Events
During their extended stay, Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore will celebrate Diwali and Christmas in space, marking significant milestones in their mission aboard the ISS.