The astronauts, who set off on their eight-day journey, are now preparing for their long-term stay in orbit 262 miles above Earth and are discussing with their families the possibility that they may not return home until 2025.
Veteran astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, piloting the first flight of Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft, have been trapped in space for 63 days.
Wilmore, 61, and Williams, 58, are in frequent contact with their families as they await their ultimate fate. “Butch and Suni are ready to support us with whatever we need,” said Dana Weigel, program manager for the International Space Station. “They’re ready for whatever path we take.”
Starliner had serious mechanical issues with its propulsion system from the start, ultimately leaving Whitmore and Williams stranded on the International Space Station. During a media call on Wednesday, NASA announced that their return would be further delayed, and revealed that the astronauts may not return aboard Starliner at all.
Engineers are concerned that the Starliner could lose control on its return to Earth, and will be conducting several tests in the coming weeks — if the risk is deemed too high, Wilmore and Williams will have no choice but to fly back aboard SpaceX’s Crew 9 return flight, scheduled for February 2025.
NASA has warned about the dangers of Starliner, but its manufacturer insists the return flight will be safe for astronauts. Boeing said in a statement on Friday: Maintained There would be no danger to the astronauts if they returned in the spacecraft.
“Boeing remains confident in the Starliner spacecraft and its ability to safely return its crew members aboard,” the embattled company said in a statement. “We continue to support NASA’s requests for additional testing, data, analysis and review to verify the spacecraft’s ability to safely undock and land.”
Both Wilmore and Williams are veteran astronauts with several years of experience.
Williams, 58, was selected as a NASA astronaut in 1998 and is a veteran of two space missions before becoming a Starliner pilot. A former Navy pilot, Williams has logged more than 3,000 flight hours in more than 30 aircraft. During his two space missions, he conducted seven spacewalks totaling more than 50 hours each. He has spent more than 385 days in space. He is married and has no children.
Wilmore, 61, is a former Navy pilot who joined NASA in 2000 and has flown two space missions, spent more than 242 days in space and performed four spacewalks. He lives in Houston with his wife and two daughters.
NASA says it will continue testing to determine its astronauts’ plans by the end of August.
