NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, who are currently stranded on the International Space Station (ISS), have expressed confidence that the Boeing Starliner spacecraft will safely bring them to Earth despite facing significant technical issues. Originally slated to spend eight days on the orbiting space laboratory, the astronauts reached the ISS on June 6. However, their return was delayed due to thruster malfunctions and helium leaks discovered in their spacecraft during their journey.
During a live press call from the station recently, mission commander Wilmore expressed 'absolute confidence' in the Starliner team and spacecraft for their safe return to Earth. He noted that “failure is not an option,” and said, “that’s why we are staying because we are going to test it. That is what we do”.
Williams said, "I have a real good feeling in my heart that the spacecraft will bring us home, no problem."
“I feel confident that if we had to, if there was a problem with the ISS, we can get in our spacecraft, and we can undock, talk to our team, and figure out the best way to come home," she added.
Taking about their stay on ISS, Williams said she and Wilmore are currently enjoying their time and performing various tasks.
Indian-American Williams also provided a first-hand account of witnessing a storm evolving into a hurricane from orbit. “I took a picture of a storm that was off the west coast of Africa about a week and a half before the hurricane impacted, and I'm about 98 per cent sure that that was the one that became Beryl," she said.
So far, NASA has announced no official date for Williams and Wilmore's return, but officials recently said they were eying ‘late July.’
As per media reports, before their return to the Earth, engineering teams will be required to run more simulations of similar thrusters and helium seals on the ground.