Amid rumors and assurances, NASA finally announced the return of Sunita Williams to Earth in February 2025.
According to the US space agency, due to technical issues Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams will not be returning aboard the Boeing Starliner capsule from the International Space Station. The two astronauts will, however, return to Earth in February 2025 on Elon Musk's SpaceX Dragon capsule.
What Delayed Sunita Williams's Return?
Soon after launch, Boeing's Starliner, which carried the two astronauts to the International Space Station on June 5, faced a number of problems. Helium leakage and the breakdown of five of the twenty-eight thrusters were among the issues. NASA was worried about the capsule's capacity to produce the required thrust for a safe return trip, even though the spacecraft was able to dock with the International Space Station. The space agency made the decision to return the Starliner to Earth without a crew in order to prioritize safety and the collection of more testing data.
NASA Administrator Bill Nelson highlighted the agency's focus to safety, noting that spaceflight carries inherent risks, especially during test missions. Nelson announced, "Safety is our core value." "A test flight, by nature, is neither safe nor routine."
Williams and Wilmore to return with Crew-9 team
It is now planned for late September that Williams and Wilmore would receive customized Dragon spacesuits, additional cargo, and personal belongings on the SpaceX Crew-9 mission. SpaceX will only send two of the four astronauts that were initially scheduled for this mission in order to make room for the astronauts' return. This will allow Williams and Wilmore to return to Earth in February 2025 with the Crew-9 team.
NASA has scheduled the Starliner's departure from the International Space Station to allow SpaceX's Dragon capsule to dock. As a result of careful planning and coordination, NASA is able to maintain operations on the International Space Station (ISS) without putting crew safety at risk or extending their stay above what is strictly required.
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Elon Musk's SpaceX
The only American business that can now deploy people to the International Space Station is Elon Musk's SpaceX. The four residents who have lived at the ISS since March are the only ones who can use the SpaceX spacecraft that is right now stuck there.They are scheduled to return this year in September.
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