- NASA and Boeing have delayed the return of the Starliner spacecraft with Sunita Williams to June 22.
- The delay allows extra time for departure planning, though the exact reason remains undisclosed.
- A new superbug, Enterobacter bugandensis, has been found on the ISS, posing potential risks to the crew.
NASA and Boeing have announced a second delay in the return of the Starliner spacecraft, carrying astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams. Initially scheduled for June 18, the return is now planned for June 22 to allow more time for finalizing departure plans. Despite the delay, the spacecraft is still prepared for any emergency return scenarios.
The return trip from the International Space Station (ISS) to Earth is expected to take around six hours, targeting a desert location in Utah, New Mexico, or other backup sites, depending on weather conditions. The mission, launched on June 5, faced multiple delays due to technical issues, including helium leaks and thruster failures.
Additionally, a new superbug, Enterobacter bugandensis, has been discovered on the ISS. This multi-drug resistant bacteria poses potential risks to the crew, as it has evolved to become more potent in the closed environment of the space station. NASA scientists are studying this superbug to understand its impact better.
