Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore: Famous NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore were taken to Rhodesia as part of a ten-day mission. On June 5, the Boeing Starliner spacecraft successfully carried them to the International Space Station (ISS) at an altitude of 400 km above Earth’s orbit. While they were supposed to return to Earth on June 14, the Starliner spacecraft encountered technical problems due to helium leakage. Due to this, their landing process on earth is getting postponed. NASA is trying to bring them back from ISS. The NASA team has been repairing the Starliner in the sky for more than a month and a half from the ground. However, the question of when they will return to Earth remains unanswered. NASA has only 19 days to complete this process.
The spacecraft’s thrusters and helium systems are critical to safe re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere. If something goes wrong, the safety of the astronauts will be at risk. The situation is further complicated by the need to maintain docking ports at the ISS. Because.. the Starliner needs to be undocked at the docking port for the upcoming Crew-9 mission. The Crew-9 mission was scheduled to launch earlier than August 18. The Crew-9 mission will carry a crew of four to the International Space Station (ISS).
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Three NASA astronauts – Jena Cardman, Nick Hague and Stephanie Wilson, a Roscosmos astronaut, Alexander Gorbunov will travel to the ISS on the Crew-9 mission. With the launch of the Crew-9 mission, the docking port currently occupied by the Starliner will have to be cleared. NASA will have to find alternative methods to bring Williams and Willmore back to Earth if the Star Liner is disabled. Space X Dragon and capsule can be used in this.
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NASA’s efforts to return Williams and Wilmore safely to Earth highlight the complexities and dangers of human spaceflight. The agency’s collaboration with Boeing and SpaceX underscores the importance of spacecraft and the need for contingency plans in the event of technical failures. With the deadline approaching in 19 days, the world is keenly watching for a successful resolution to this critical mission.
