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NASA is uncertain about Sunita Williams’ return date to Earth due to ongoing issues with Boeing’s Starliner capsule.
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The agency is considering keeping Williams and Butch Wilmore on the ISS until early 2025 and returning them on a SpaceX flight.
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A final decision is expected by the end of next week or early the following week, depending on further data review.
NASA’s plans for astronaut Sunita Williams’ return to Earth remain uncertain due to technical problems with Boeing’s Starliner capsule. The agency is weighing options, including keeping Williams and Butch Wilmore on the International Space Station (ISS) until early 2025. This would involve returning them on a SpaceX flight, leaving the Starliner to come back unmanned.
The Starliner’s thruster failures and helium leaks have raised concerns about its ability to safely return to Earth. NASA is reviewing more data on the capsule’s performance and plans to make a final decision soon. One alternative is to have the astronauts return on SpaceX’s next scheduled mission in late September, which would require adjusting crew assignments.
NASA’s partnership with Boeing and SpaceX aims to ensure multiple transportation options for astronauts. However, the ongoing issues with the Starliner are a significant hurdle in achieving this goal. As NASA assesses the situation, the fate of the mission and the astronauts hangs in the balance.
