NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore who have been stuck on the International Space Station (ISS) for nearly nine months are finally set to return to Earth. The two astronauts who originally went on a 10-day mission on Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft, encountered multiple problems in their capsule delaying their return indefinitely. Now, NASA has approved their return on SpaceX Crew Dragon Crew-9 scheduled for March 19.
Why Were They Stuck in Space for Nine Months?
Williams and Wilmore were launched on June 5, 2024 as part of the first crewed test flight of Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft. The plan was for them to spend about 10 days on the ISS before returning to Earth. However, their capsule suffered several technical malfunctions making their return trip unsafe.
What Went Wrong with the Starliner Spacecraft?
The problems with Starliner included:
- Thruster Failures: Five thrusters, responsible for controlling the spacecraft’s direction, stopped working.
- Helium Leaks: Helium, which helps power the thrusters, started leaking, making it difficult to maneuver the spacecraft.
- Emergency Fuel Usage: Due to helium loss, the spacecraft had to rely on its emergency fuel supply, reducing its ability to return safely.
Because of these problems, NASA had no choice but to delay their return and keep them on the ISS.
NASA’s Plan to Bring Them Back to Earth
NASA and Boeing spent months working on possible solutions to bring Williams and Wilmore back. In the end, NASA decided to use SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft, which has a proven track record of safe missions to and from the ISS.
How Will They Return?
- Rescue Mission Approval: NASA officially approved the return of Williams and Wilmore on SpaceX’s Crew Dragon Crew-9 mission.
- Return Date: They are expected to land back on Earth on March 19, 2025.
- Crew Members Returning: Along with Williams and Wilmore, NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Alexander Gorbunov will also return to Earth.
The Role of Crew-9 and Crew-10 in This Mission
Crew-9 Mission
- Launched in August 2024.
- Initially carried two astronauts: Nick Hague (NASA) and Alexander Gorbunov (Roscosmos).
- Had two empty seats reserved for Williams and Wilmore in case of emergency.
Crew-10 Mission
- Set to launch on March 16, 2025.
- Crew-10 astronauts include:
- Anne McClain (NASA)
- Nicole Aunapu Mann (NASA)
- Takuya Onishi (JAXA – Japan’s Space Agency)
- Kirill Peskov (Roscosmos – Russian Space Agency)
- They will replace Crew-9 and continue ISS operations for six months.
NASA initially planned to send Crew-10 on the new SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft, but due to manufacturing delays, they will now travel on the older Dragon capsule Endurance.
Starliner’s Future and NASA’s Commercial Crew Program
Starliner was developed by Boeing as part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, alongside SpaceX. However, due to multiple technical issues, its reliability is now under question.
What Happens to Starliner Now?
- Starliner was sent back to Earth in September 2024, but only after multiple failures.
- Boeing and NASA are working to fix its issues before launching it for future missions.
- NASA is still committed to using both SpaceX and Boeing for future crewed missions to maintain competition and improve spacecraft safety.
Despite Starliner’s problems, the commercial crew program remains essential to the future of space travel. NASA and private companies like SpaceX and Boeing aim to make space missions more cost-effective and reliable.
Conclusion
After nine long months, Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore are finally ready to return home. Their mission, which was supposed to last just 10 days, turned into an unexpected test of patience and endurance due to Starliner failures. Now, thanks to SpaceX’s Crew Dragon, they will land safely back on Earth on March 19.
NASA’s experience with this mission highlights both the challenges and progress of commercial space travel. Although Starliner’s problems delayed its return, future improvements will ensure safe missions for astronauts in the years to come.
FAQs
1. Why were Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore stuck in space for so long?
They were stuck because their Starliner spacecraft suffered technical failures, including thruster malfunctions and helium leaks, making it unsafe to return to Earth.
2. How are they coming back to Earth now?
NASA approved their return on SpaceX’s Crew Dragon Crew-9 mission, scheduled to land on March 16, 2025.
3. What is the Crew-10 mission?
Crew-10 is the next ISS mission, launching on March 12, 2025, with four astronauts who will replace Crew-9.
4. Is Boeing’s Starliner still usable for future missions?
NASA and Boeing are working to fix Starliner’s issues. If successful, it will continue being used for future crewed missions.
5. Will NASA stop using Boeing after these failures?
No, NASA plans to continue working with both Boeing and SpaceX to maintain competition and improve safety in commercial space travel.
