Two NASA astronauts aboard Boeing's Starliner capsule will remain at the International Space Station (ISS) indefinitely, as engineers continue to address technical issues with the spacecraft, NASA and Boeing announced on Thursday.
Test pilots Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams were initially scheduled for a week-long mission starting in early June. However, their return has been postponed due to problems with the capsule’s thrusters and minor helium leaks, which have raised safety concerns.
Despite earlier assurances from Boeing that the issues were under control, with four of five thrusters now operational and only one of 27 still offline, NASA and Boeing officials have decided to delay the spacecraft's return until all technical difficulties are resolved.
NASA’s commercial crew program manager, Steve Stich, stated in a press conference, “We’ll come home when we’re ready.” He added that alternative options, including using other capsules for the astronauts’ return, are being reviewed as a priority.
Engineers are currently analyzing a spare thruster tested in the New Mexico desert to determine the root cause of the malfunctions, which are believed to stem from degraded seals.
This mission marks the first crewed flight of the Starliner spacecraft, which has faced technical challenges even before launch, including issues with reaction control thrusters and helium leaks. NASA and Boeing are working diligently to ensure the safety and success of the mission.
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