SpaceX has launched a new crew to the International Space Station (ISS), facilitating the return of astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, who have been stranded due to technical issues with their Boeing Starliner spacecraft. Originally scheduled for an eight-day mission, they have now spent over nine months on the ISS.
The return journey for Wilmore and Williams is set to commence two days after the new crew arrives. NASA’s commercial crew program manager, Steve Stich, expressed his enthusiasm for their return, praising their work on the ISS.
The departing astronauts, alongside their ISS colleagues Nick Hague and Aleksandr Gorbunov, will be replaced by a crew of four from Russia, Japan, and the US. A two-day handover process will follow, after which Wilmore and Williams are expected to begin their return to Earth. However, a slight delay is possible, pending favorable weather conditions for the Starliner capsule’s re-entry, according to ISS program manager Dana Weigel.
Weigel noted that the astronauts began preparing for the handover last week, with a symbolic bell-ringing ceremony marking the transfer of command from Williams to cosmonaut Alexei Ovchinin.
Despite the extended stay, Wilmore and Williams have consistently expressed their satisfaction with being on the ISS, with Williams calling it her “happy place.” However, experts acknowledge the personal cost of such a prolonged mission, disrupting family life and causing them to miss significant events back home.
Wilmore and Williams arrived at the ISS in June 2024 to test the Boeing Starliner, a spacecraft plagued by technical issues. Problems during launch and docking, including thruster malfunctions and helium leaks, prompted NASA to delay their return, prioritizing safety over schedule.
NASA opted to return the astronauts via SpaceX’s Dragon capsule, despite Boeing’s assertions that the Starliner was safe. This decision, made during a scheduled crew rotation, extended the astronauts’ stay on the ISS by several months.
Boeing expressed disappointment with NASA’s decision, viewing it as a blow to their reputation.
The technical issues faced by Starliner, including stalled thrusters, were highlighted as reasons for NASA’s cautious approach.
Discussions around the extended stay were also marked by political commentary. Statements made by individuals, indicated that they thought, the astronauts could have returned sooner, and even suggested political motivations for the delays. NASA officials refuted these claims, emphasizing that the decision was based on technical and programmatic considerations, prioritizing astronaut safety.
Dr. Libby Jackson of the Science Museum in London supported NASA’s decision, emphasizing that astronaut wellbeing was paramount. She expressed anticipation for their safe return to Earth alongside their crewmates.
