NASA leaders are providing an explanation for the two astronauts who have been trapped on the International Space Station since June due to a malfunction in their Boeing spacecraft.
NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams arrived aboard the Starliner on June 5 and were only scheduled to stay until the middle of this month.
Officials are discussing how to bring them home safely after helium leaks and propulsion problems were discovered.
When and how will Boeing Starliner astronauts trapped in space return?
NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore were flight crew members on Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft, which was recovering from a series of problems. (NASA)
One option previously discussed, officials said last week, was to return the pair aboard NASA’s SpaceX Crew 9 mission, which was scheduled to launch in September with two empty seats to reserve space for Wilmore and Williams to return in February 2025.
Officials have said that if NASA approves the contingency plans, Starliner will likely detach from the space station and return to Earth autonomously.
NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams during NASA’s live coverage of the launch on June 5, 2024. (NASA)
NASA-Boeing Starliner launch was ‘spectacular’ and mission went according to plan through day two, astronauts say
Boeing said it was confident the Starliner was safe enough to return Wilmore and Williams safely to Earth.
NASA says it needs more time to analyze the spacecraft’s steering thrusters, which experienced problems during the spacecraft’s first manned flight to the ISS.
Developed by Boeing as part of a public-private partnership with NASA, Starliner is scheduled to make its first crewed flight on June 5, 2024. (NASA/YouTube)
Click here to get the FOX News app
This is a developing story.
Fox News’ Audrey Conklin, Charles Bell and Jonathan Selli contributed to this report.
