Two NASA astronauts are “stranded” in space after Boeing Starliner’s return to Earth from the International Space Station was delayed a second time.
NASA and Boeing decided to postpone the spacecraft’s return until an unspecified date in July after it docked on the International Space Station on June 6.
They said the delay of the rescheduled June 26 return will allow more time for the review of the thruster malfunctions and helium leaks that caused the first delay.
Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams were initially scheduled for a nine-day stay, which was pushed back twice this month and now sits at an undetermined date. Picture: AFP
The spaceship blasted off from Florida atop a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket on June 5 following years of delays and safety scares, as well as two aborted launch attempts that came as astronauts were strapped in and ready to go.
“NASA and Boeing leadership are adjusting the return to Earth of the Starliner Crew Flight Test spacecraft,” NASA said in a blog post.
“The move off Wednesday, June 26, deconflicts Starliner’s undocking and landing from a series of planned International Space Station spacewalks while allowing mission teams time to review propulsion system data.”
NASA’s Commercial Crew Program manager Steve Stich said Starliner was “performing well” and dismissed suggestions astronauts Sunita “Suni” Williams and Barry “Butch” Wilmore had become “stranded” saying they could return to Earth at any time, if necessary.