NASA says Sunita Williams could stay on space station for 6 months more if plan A fails
Sunita Williams may not return to Earth for quite some time. During an interaction with the media, NASA revealed that the astronaut and her colleague Butch Wilmore could stay in space for at least six more months. The space agency announced that they are considering extending the stay of two astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) until early 2025 due to ongoing complications with Boeing's Starliner capsule.
If NASA opts to bring the Starliner back without a crew, Butch and Suni would remain on the ISS until late February 2025. In this scenario, NASA would adjust the SpaceX Crew-9 mission, sending only two crew members instead of the usual four in late September. Butch and Suni would then return to Earth after the Crew-9 mission is completed early next year.
Originally intended as a brief test mission, the astronauts might now return to Earth on a SpaceX flight, leaving the Starliner to return unmanned. NASA is currently analyzing additional data on the Starliner's performance and expects to make a final decision by the end of next week or early the following week. The malfunctioning thrusters, crucial for maintaining the capsule's orientation during re-entry, are a significant concern.
This mission, which began with high expectations, has faced numerous technical challenges since reaching the ISS. Malfunctions in the thrusters and helium leaks have cast serious doubt on the Starliner’s ability to safely return to Earth. These issues have left astronauts Williams and Wilmore in a prolonged and
