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Astronauts to Stay Longer on the ISS Until February 2025

Srihari
Astronauts to Stay Longer on the ISS Until February 2025

Astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams, who have been on the International Space Station (ISS) since June, will now stay there until February 2025. They arrived at the ISS on NASA's Boeing Crew Flight Test, but their return to Earth has been postponed.

Uncrewed Starliner Return

  • NASA has decided to bring Boeing's Starliner spacecraft back to Earth without astronauts on board.
  • Wilmore and Williams will remain on the ISS to support ongoing research, maintain systems, and analyze data from the Starliner mission.
  • This decision allows NASA and Boeing to collect more testing data on the Starliner spacecraft during its return, reducing unnecessary risks to the astronauts.

NASA's Safety Commitment

  • NASA Administrator Bill Nelson emphasized the risks involved in spaceflight, especially during test flights.
  • The choice to bring Starliner back without a crew reflects NASA's strong focus on safety.
  • NASA stated on Twitter that the decision followed an extensive review by experts.

Continued Work on the ISS

  • Wilmore and Williams are part of the Expedition 71/72 crew and will continue their work on the ISS.
  • They are scheduled to return to Earth in spring 2025 aboard a Dragon spacecraft with two other crew members from NASA's SpaceX Crew-9 mission.
  • Starliner is set to return to Earth autonomously in early September.

Challenges with the Starliner Spacecraft

  • During its mission, the Starliner spacecraft encountered technical issues, including helium leaks and thruster problems.
  • Despite thorough work and testing, NASA concluded that the spacecraft did not meet the safety standards required for human spaceflight.
  • As a result, the astronauts were reassigned to the Crew-9 mission.

Future Plans for Starliner and Crew-9 Mission

  • Starliner has previously completed two successful uncrewed flights.
  • NASA and Boeing are planning the next uncrewed return for Starliner, which must happen before the Crew-9 mission launches to clear a docking port on the ISS.
  • The Crew-9 mission is now scheduled to launch no earlier than September 24, 2025.

Crew-9 Mission Preparations

  • The Crew-9 mission will include astronauts Wilmore and Williams.
  • NASA and SpaceX are preparing for the mission by adjusting the spacecraft's configuration, including seating arrangements and additional cargo.

The Role of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program

  • The Crew-9 mission is part of NASA's Commercial Crew Program, which aims to ensure safe, reliable, and cost-effective transport to and from the ISS using American-made rockets and spacecraft.
  • For over 20 years, the ISS has served as a vital platform for scientific research and technological development, helping NASA prepare for future missions to the Moon and Mars.

By maintaining a clear focus on safety and thorough testing, NASA continues to prepare for a future of space exploration and discovery.

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