Astronauts Stranded in Space After Boeing Capsule Malfunction, Could Be Stuck Until 2025

The two astronauts were initially supposed to be in space for eight days – it may now be seven-months

Two astronauts trapped in space may be stranded until 2025.

It sounds like the synopsis of Hollywood blockbuster The Martian, but unfortunately for NASA’s Barry Wilmore and Suni Williams, there are no cuts – it is very much real life.

NASA astronauts Barry Wilmore and Suni Williams have faced multiple malfunctions in their Boeing's Starliner capsule. (NASA)

NASA astronauts Barry Wilmore and Suni Williams have faced multiple malfunctions in their Boeing’s Starliner capsule. (NASA)

The couple were launched into space aboard the Boeing Starliner on June 5, and what was only supposed to be an eight day mission could turn into a seven-month nightmare.

Yes, they left the International Space Station (ISS) more than 60 days ago, and since then the crew has discovered worrying helium leaks and thruster failures.

NASA studies twins to determine impacts of space travel

 

 

Worrying to say the least – the capsule that they are in has experienced five helium leaks, five maneuvering thrusters go dead and a propellant valve fail to close completely.

Initially, it was feared that 61-year-old Wilmore and 58-year-old Williams only had at most 72 days to survive, but now it is understood that they could be trapped in out of this planet until 2025.

Despite the barrage of malfunctions, NASA is confident Williams and Wilmore will return home. (NASA)

Despite the barrage of malfunctions, NASA is confident Williams and Wilmore will return home. (NASA)

Steve Stich, NASA’s Commercial Crew Program manager, has 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.

However, this wouldn’t be ready until February.

Stich said: “We have been working with SpaceX to ensure they are ready to respond with Crew-9 as a contingency.

“We need to probably decide, likely in the middle of August, one path or the other to go ahead and meet the launch date for Crew-9.”

SpaceX’s mission was initially penned for take off on August 18, but delays mean it should now take off September 24.

“We have not formally committed to this path, but we wanted to ensure we had all that flexibility in place,” Stich said.

The Boeing CST-100 Staliner which Wilmore and Williams are trapped in space inside. (Gregg Newton / Gregg Newton / AFP) (Photo by GREGG NEWTON/Gregg Newton/AFP via Getty Images)

The Boeing CST-100 Staliner which Wilmore and Williams are trapped in space inside. (Gregg Newton / Gregg Newton / AFP) (Photo by GREGG NEWTON/Gregg Newton/AFP via Getty Images)

NASA’s engineers are currently testing spare thrusters in the New Mexico desert to try and understand what went wrong with the Starliner ahead of its docking.

Of the five thrusters that failed as it approached the space station on June 6, four have since been reactivated.

This was Boeing’s first ever test flight with a crew aboard.

The initial demo in 2019, which flew empty, never made it to the space station because of bad software.

They repeated the test in 2022, however, more issues arose.

The space agency’s competitor, billionaire Tesla owner Elon Musk’s SpaceX, could well have to get Wilmore and Williams out of this sticky situation next year.

NASA astronauts stuck in space after Boeing capsule malfunctioned have just 45 days to be rescued

NASA astronauts stuck in space after Boeing capsule malfunctioned have just 45 days to be rescued

The two NASA astronauts have had to deal with multiple malfunctions in what should have been a simple eight day expedition

Two NASA astronauts face a race against time as they are currently stuck in space after multiple malfunctions.

Of all the places you don’t want to end up stranded… Space certainly is one of them.

Unfortunately, that is a reality NASA astronauts Barry Wilmore and Suni Williams now face.

Astronaut floats free in space
Credit: NASA

Earlier this month on June 5, the pair set off for the International Space Station with the goal with returning not long after.

But since the launch and docking, the duo have faced a barrage of malfunctions and concerns, when in reality, you really want travel to go without a hitch when it comes to space.

The Boeing’s Starliner capsule the pair have been has experienced five helium leaks, five maneuvering thrusters go dead and a propellant valve fail to close completely, prompting the crew in space and mission managers in Houston to spend more time than expected pursuing fixes mid-mission.

NASA’s commercial crew manager Steve Stich has spoken to reporters about the situation and said the Starliner can be docked at the ISS for up to 45 days.

NASA astronauts Barry Wilmore and Suni Williams have faced multiple malfunctions in their Boeing's Starliner capsule. (NASA)

NASA astronauts Barry Wilmore and Suni Williams have faced multiple malfunctions in their Boeing’s Starliner capsule. (NASA)

If necessary, this can be extended to about 72 days, if it could rely on various backup systems.

According to a Reuter report, a person familiar with the situation spoke to the publication and said NASA hopes to have a return date of July 6, but has not committed to this date publicly. This would ultimately mean a mission that was meant to last for 8 days lasted just over a month.

Starliner’s expendable propulsion system is part of the craft’s ‘service module’. The current problems center on this system, which is needed to back the capsule away from the ISS and position it to dive through Earth’s atmosphere.

Many of Starliner’s thrusters have overheated when fired, and the leaks of helium – used to pressurize the thrusters – appear to be connected to how frequently they are used, according to Stich.

Since the launch and docking on June 5 the duo have faced a barrage of malfunctions and concerns. (NASA)

Since the launch and docking on June 5 the duo have faced a barrage of malfunctions and concerns. (NASA)

Despite the slew of problems, the teams remain confident that the two astronauts can be returned to Earth safely.

NASA is even considering use the Starliner despite the propulsion issues as it can be used as an escape pod in emergency situations.

If the Starliner proves to be completely unusable in returning the astronauts, one option being considered would be to send them home aboard Crew Dragon, which ferried four astronauts to the station in March and is able to fit more people in an emergency.

UNILAD has contacted NASA for comment.

Featured Image Credit: NASA/Robert Markowitz

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