Indian-American astronaut Sunita Williams and her colleague Butch Wilmore find themselves on an indefinite stay on the International Space Station (ISS) after a 10-day mission turned into a long ordeal.

Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, who launched on Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft on June 5, were initially supposed to return to Earth by now.

However, their return has been delayed due to a number of unforeseen technical problems. The Starliner, designed to carry astronauts back and forth between Earth and space, has encountered significant problems.

These include five helium leaks along with a malfunctioning propellant valve, and failures in five of its 28 thrusters. These complications have severely impacted the spacecraft’s return schedule, leaving Sunita Williams and Wilmore in orbit for much longer than anticipated.

Boeing’s Starliner team and NASA engineers have been working tirelessly to resolve the issues. Recent updates from Boeing Space show that progress is being made, with ground testing and data reviews focusing on the spacecraft’s reaction control system thrusters. While a possible landing date could be set for August, no specific return timeline has yet been confirmed by NASA.

Boeing’s Starliner program manager and vice president Mark Nappe expressed optimism about the spacecraft’s capabilities. “I’m very confident that we have a good vehicle to bring the crew back,” Nappe said. NASA’s commercial crew program director initially hoped for a return by the end of July.

The ongoing mission is important for Boeing because it represents the final hurdle before Starliner receives NASA certification for regular astronaut flights.

Various tests are underway, including those conducted at New Mexico’s White Sands Missile Range and NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Centre, to better understand and resolve technical problems affecting the spacecraft.

Amid the uncertainty, Sunita Williams and Wilmore maintain a positive outlook. “I have a really good feeling in my heart that this spacecraft will bring us home,”  Sunita Williams remarked.

We hope Sunita Williams and Butch stay safe and well while they are away from earth and return back to their home soon.

BEST WISHES TO BOTH OF THEM!

READ MORE ABOUT LATEST TRENDS

A girl behaving like a snake | Jharkhand case 2024