NASA Decision On Sunita Williams’ Return Plan Likely By August-End, After Two More Reviews

NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore remain on ISS after two months due to technical issues with Boeing Starliner. NASA is working with Boeing to resolve the issues.

NASA astronaut aSunita Williams observes inside the International Space Station's Kibo laboratory module.

Source : NASA

Sunita Williams Latest News: NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, who reached the International Space Station (ISS) on June 6 aboard the Boeing Starliner for a eight-day Crew Flight Test mission, have not been able to return to Earth even after two months. Their stay in space had to be extended because the Starliner developed certain issues as NASA said its thrusters were not performing the way they should be, and that engineers spotted "several leaks" in the spacecraft’s helium system.

NASA has said its engineers, along with Boeing’s team, are working to resolve technical issues so the Starliner could return to Earth.

In its latest update, the space agency said while several thruster tests and data reviews have been done to examine the issues, they now plan to conduct two more reviews. NASA said it will conduct a “Program Control Board and an Agency Flight Readiness Review” before a decision is taken on how to safely bring back Wlliams and Wilmore.  

A decision on the path forward is expected by the end of August.

The agency has said Williams and Wilmore, the pilot and the Commander of Boeing Crew Flight Test, respectively, are currently working with the Expedition 71 crew already onboard the orbiting laboratory, “performing scientific research and maintenance activities”.

In an update earlier this week, NASA had said the two astronauts conducted ultrasound scans of bladder and kidney using a device with software guidance and not remote guidance from the ground by doctors. The test aimed to demonstrate “autonomous medical procedures in space and inform future crewed missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond”.

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Return Options For Sunita Williams And Buch Wilmore 

There are two space transportation systems available with NASA that can carry crew to and from the ISS. While NASA has not given up on Starliner yet, the other option is SpaceX. The agency has said the two astronauts can also return as part of the SpaceX Crew-9 mission, but that will mean they can’t be back before February 2025, when the mission is scheduled to return.

"NASA adjusted SpaceX Crew-9 launch and the agency’s SpaceX Crew-8 return, allowing more time to finalize Starliner return plans,” the agency posted on its website, adding: “NASA also is looking at crew assignments to ensure Butch and Suni can return with Crew-9, if needed.”

Should NASA decide to bring them back on the SpaceX Dragon, the Crew-9 mission will be launched in late September with only two members instead of four. 

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ISS Well-Stocked With Food, Clothing, Oxygen: NASA

Though the Boeing Crew Flight Test mission was planned as a short trip, NASA has assured that a longer stay aboard the ISS is not uncommon, and that astronauts undertake any mission “fully aware of the various scenarios”. 

Both Suni Williams and Buch Wilmore have in the past completed longer-duration space missions. “This mission is no different, and they understood the possibilities and unknowns of this test flight, including being aboard station longer than planned,” NASA said.

While astronauts typically stay aboard the ISS for about six months, some have remained in space for longer durations. In fact, NASA’s Frank Rubio holds the longest stay record at 371 days, followed by Mark Vande Hei (355) and Scott Kelly (340). 

NASA has also assured that the astronauts have adequate food, clothing, oxygen, and personal items, saying while the ISS is always well-stocked with essentials, the space station partners also frequently send additional supplies and cargo to the orbiting lab.

A Northrop Grumman Cygnus spacecraft, carrying 8,200 pounds of food, fuel, and other supplies, and a Progress resupply spacecraft with 3 tonnes of cargo were recently sent to the ISS. 

NASA has also said Sunita Williams and Buch Wilmore, like other astronauts, can call and have video conferences with family and friends, or write email to them, in their “free time”.