When American astronauts Barry “Butch” Wilmore and Sunita Williams launched on a test mission to the International Space Station (ISS) on the 5th of June, 2024, they anticipated a brief, eight-day stint in orbit. Instead, their journey has evolved into an unplanned and indefinite extension, with the possibility of being stuck in space until 2025.
The mission, which was intended to test Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft, was a significant milestone for the aerospace company. However, the spacecraft’s maiden crewed flight encountered unforeseen challenges that have left Wilmore and Williams stranded above the Earth, facing the prospect of missing the summer and potentially spending Christmas and New Year in space.
Upon their arrival at the ISS, the astronauts encountered technical issues with the Starliner, including leaks in the propulsion system and malfunctions in some thrusters. These problems have raised concerns about the spacecraft’s ability to safely return them to Earth. As a result, NASA is now exploring alternative options for their return.
Steve Stich, manager of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, stated at a recent briefing, “Our prime option is to return Butch and Suni on Starliner. However, we have done the requisite planning to make sure we have other options open.” One such alternative involves utilizing a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft scheduled for a September launch. If this plan is implemented, Wilmore and Williams could return to Earth as late as February 2025, resulting in an extended stay of more than eight months aboard the ISS.
This potential use of SpaceX’s Crew Dragon would be a significant setback for Boeing, which has long been vying to establish its Starliner as a viable competitor to SpaceX’s well-established Crew Dragon. The Crew Dragon’s continued dominance, evidenced by its successful missions and NASA approvals since 2020, highlights the challenges Boeing faces in achieving similar success.
NASA officials have indicated that a final decision on the astronauts’ return will likely take a week or more. Ken Bowersox, NASA’s director of space operations, mentioned that the possibility of an uncrewed return of the Starliner is being considered more seriously, given recent developments.
In the interim, NASA has utilized SpaceX rockets to deliver additional supplies to the ISS, including extra clothing for the stranded astronauts. Despite the extended mission, both Wilmore and Williams have maintained a positive outlook. During a recent press briefing, Williams expressed her contentment with the situation, saying, “It feels like coming back home. It feels good to float around. It feels good to be in space and work up here with the International Space Station team.”
The extended stay of these astronauts is a testament to the unpredictable nature of space travel and the complexities of new spacecraft development. While their current predicament mirrors the experiences of others who have spent significant time in space—such as Russian cosmonaut Valeri Polyakov, who spent 437 days aboard the Mir space station, or American astronaut Frank Rubio, who spent 371 days on the ISS—Wilmore and Williams’ experience underscores the high stakes involved in human spaceflight.
As Boeing works to resolve the issues with the Starliner and NASA evaluates alternative plans, the mission serves as a poignant reminder of the challenges and risks inherent in space exploration. For now, Wilmore and Williams continue their work aboard the ISS, contributing to scientific research and space station operations while awaiting their eventual return to Earth.
