NASA Postpones Return of Stranded Starliner Astronauts to March

NASA again Barry Wilmore and Sunita Williams’ return to Earth delayed Astronaut stranded on International Space Station back Boeing’s Starliner capsule malfunctions The middle of this year.

The spacecraft’s crew arrived at the International Space Station in June. The purpose is to test the comprehensive capabilities of Starliner, including launch, docking and return systems. The mission was scheduled to last a week. Five of the capsule’s 28 thrusters failed to function before docking with the International Space Station. Boeing claims its technology can ensure the safe return of astronauts. However, NASA expressed doubts and concluded that the risks were too high. The agency delegates this task to Space Exploration Technologies Corporation.

Elon Musk’s company launched the Crew-9 mission in September, one of which is to return Williams and Wilmore. So far, stalled astronaut program Return to China in February Board the Crew Dragon spacecraft. However, NASA has announced that it expects the expedition to return to the Earth’s surface after the arrival of Crew-10, which could be launched as soon as late March 2025.

The adjustment will allow SpaceX and NASA engineers to complete development of the new Crew Dragon spacecraft, which will be shipped to the company’s Florida facility early next month.

Steve Stich, manager of NASA’s commercial crew program, said in a statement: “The manufacturing, assembly, testing and final integration of a new spacecraft is a painstaking job that requires extreme attention to detail. We thank SpaceX for their hard work.” Team Expansion Dragon fleet to support our mission and space station program and expedition crew flexibility while we work together to complete flight readiness of the new capsule.

NASA said the Crew-9 and Crew-10 crews must complete a “handover period,” during which ISS residents share experiences and knowledge with the new arrivals. This process ensures the normal conduct of onboard scientific experiments and maintenance of the orbital complex.

Experts at NASA and SpaceX evaluated several options for coordinating the next crewed launch. According to the agency’s press release, they believe launching Crew-10 in March is “the best option to meet NASA requirements and achieve the 2025 space station goals.”

long journey

The International Space Station received two resupply flights in November to ensure astronauts had enough food, water, clothing and oxygen. However, some experts warned of potential health risks for Wilmore and Williams after spending more than nine months in space.

The scientific community has been studying the effects of space flight on the human body since the 1970s. In the years since the first moon landing, Conditions determined Examples include bone loss, weakened heart function, vision problems and the formation of kidney stones.

A recent study from University College London reveal The structure and function of the kidneys can also suffer permanent damage, although this is particularly serious for astronauts traveling too far from Earth, which is not the case aboard the International Space Station.

NASA noted that members of expeditions to the International Space Station typically stay for extended periods of time, with the average stay being six months. The report added that some astronauts have already carried out year-long missions to contribute to research on human adaptation to space flight, with an eye on future exploration of the moon and Mars.

This story originally appeared in Wired Spanish version and has been translated from Spanish.