NASA astronauts Barry Wilmore and Suni Williams were only meant to be on a eight-day mission
NASA has shared an update on the astronauts stranded on the ISS, admitting they ‘really should be making a call’ on how to bring them home.
In June, astronauts Barry Wilmore and Suni Williams embarked on what was just meant to be an eight-day mission, but things didn’t go to plan.
As they were flying to the International Space Station (ISS) they encountered several problems with the capsule.
The Boeing Starliner experienced five helium leaks, while five manoeuvring thrusters went dead.
The pair are now aboard the ISS with other astronauts, but they have no means of getting home currently.
While they may be stuck up in space for the time being, Wilmore and Williams are trying to keep spirits high.
Barry Wilmore and Suni Williams’ mission has been a lot longer than expected. (NASA)
During a recent briefing with reporters, Williams said: “We’ve been thoroughly busy up here, integrated right into the crew.
“It feels like coming back home. It feels good to float around. It feels good to be in space and work up with the ISS team. So yeah, it’s great to be up here.”
While it was initially feared the pair would have only 72 days at most to survive, it’s now believed the astronauts may not return to Earth until 2025.
Steve Stich, NASA’s Commercial Crew Program manager, recently explained that if tests prove too risky to make the trip home on Starliner, they may be forced to return with SpaceX’s Crew-9 return flight.
The thing is, this won’t be ready to go until February.
NASA Associate Administrator for Space Operations Ken Bowersox provided a further update on the astronauts during a teleconference on Wednesday (14 August).
The astronauts may not return to Earth until 2025. (NASA)
“We’ve had very honest discussions with each other, and I am not surprised the Boeing team are 100% behind their vehicle,” the NASA guru said.
“But I can also tell you that they want to work with us in a partnership, which the NASA team thinks is important. When we get to a decision, we will work through it together.”
Bowersox added: “It’s getting a lot harder. We’re reaching a point where [by] that last week in August we really should be making a call, if not sooner.
“Butch and Suni are well engaged on the space station. It’s great to be there, enjoying the environment, eating that great space food and being able to look out the window.
“So I know they’re making the best of this time, but I’m sure they’re eager for a decision just like the rest of us.”
