Barry “Butch” Wilmore and Sunita “Suni” Williams embarked on a mission to space aboard Boeing’s Starliner on June 5. They were scheduled to return eight days later, but technical problems with the spacecraft have left them stuck in orbit.
The mission was Starliner’s first crewed trip to the International Space Station (ISS). After docking, the astronauts were supposed to spend just over a week in space. However, Starliner has encountered several issues, including five helium leaks, five dead maneuvering thrusters, and a propellant valve that didn’t close properly. These problems have forced NASA to postpone the return date three times, and no new date is currently set.
An anonymous source told Reuters that NASA’s latest target for Starliner’s return is July 6. If this date holds, Wilmore and Williams will have spent a month in space instead of the planned eight days.
The main issues with Starliner revolve around its propulsion system, which is essential for maneuvering the capsule away from the ISS and positioning it for re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere. According to Steve Stich, NASA’s commercial crew manager, many of the thrusters have overheated, and the helium leaks seem to be linked to the frequency of thruster use.
Despite being stuck in space, Wilmore and Williams are keeping busy. On Tuesday, they worked on the space station’s plumbing, replacing the pressure control and pump assembly motor that supports the station’s main restroom. They also spent time testing systems within the Starliner spacecraft.
Starliner can remain docked at the ISS for up to 45 days, with a maximum of 72 days if necessary, relying on backup systems. If Starliner is deemed unsafe for the astronauts’ return, they could be brought back aboard SpaceX’s Crew Dragon. This spacecraft ferried four astronauts to the ISS in March and has enough space for additional passengers in an emergency. However, NASA and Boeing officials believe this scenario is unlikely and insist that Starliner’s current issues don’t indicate the need for such measures.
The mission is crucial because Starliner is supposed to be an alternative to SpaceX’s Crew Dragon, which is currently the only spacecraft ferrying US, European, Canadian, and Japanese astronauts to and from the ISS. In 2014, NASA commissioned both SpaceX and Boeing to develop commercial crew capsules. While SpaceX began shuttling astronauts in 2020, Boeing has faced continuous challenges with Starliner.
Last year, planned launches were canceled due to overheating batteries, flammable protective tape around wiring, and problems with the parachute system for the capsule’s return to Earth. These setbacks have cost Boeing approximately $1.5 billion on the Starliner program.
The current situation is a significant setback for Boeing, highlighting the difficulties the company has faced in developing a reliable spacecraft. As Wilmore and Williams continue their unexpected extended mission, NASA and Boeing are working to resolve the issues and bring the astronauts safely back to Earth.