Two astronauts stranded in space will wait until next year

NASA decided today that it is too risky to bring the two astronauts back to Earth using Boeing's faulty capsule.

In this context, the astronauts will have to wait until next year to ensure their return from space via a SpaceX capsule.

Thus, the test flight, which was supposed to last 1 week, will have lasted more than 8 months.

Experienced pilots Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams have been stranded at the International Space Station since June.

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson stated in his announcement, "A test flight, by its nature, is neither safe nor routine. Therefore, this decision is a commitment to safety."

Deputy Administrator Jim Free also commented, "This was not an easy decision, but it is absolutely the right one."

Boeing, the manufacturer of the faulty spacecraft, stated in a written release following the postponement, "Boeing continues to focus, first and foremost, on the safety of the crew and the spacecraft. We are executing the mission as defined by NASA and are preparing the spacecraft for a safe and successful uncrewed return."

The Starliner spacecraft is expected to return on autopilot and land in the New Mexico desert in early September.

STARLINER SPACECRAFT SENT TO SPACE MALFUNCTIONED

After two postponements, Boeing launched the Starliner spacecraft carrying two NASA astronauts into space for the first time on June 5. Despite inspections of the spacecraft, where a helium leak was detected, the source of the problem could not be identified, and the vehicle's return to Earth was postponed 4 times.

There is still no clarity regarding the exact return date or the method of return for the NASA astronauts, who were originally planned to spend 1 week at the space station.

News Source: AA