Starliner Crew Faces Extended Stay On Space Station As Landing Pushed To June 26th

NASA and Boeing announced today that the return of the Starliner capsule carrying astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams will be delayed due to ongoing thruster valve issues and scheduling adjustments. The landing, originally planned for June 14th and then pushed back to June 22nd, is now targeted for no earlier than June 26th.

This extended stay on the International Space Station (ISS) comes after Starliner encountered challenges with some of its maneuvering thrusters during its initial docking attempt on June 6th. While a successful second attempt brought the capsule to the ISS, further evaluation of the thruster system is needed.

"The additional time will allow our engineers to perform a more comprehensive analysis of the thruster data and ensure the safe and smooth return of the crew," said a NASA spokesperson.

The delay also coincides with a planned spacewalk on the ISS scheduled for June 24th. Optimizing mission schedules allows for a more efficient use of resources and minimizes disruption to other station activities.

Despite the setback, Wilmore and Williams are reportedly in good spirits and continuing their mission aboard the ISS. The astronauts are conducting joint scientific research with the station crew and participating in outreach programs.

The extended stay presents no safety concerns, as the capsule has sufficient supplies for the additional time, and the crew is trained for various scenarios.

The successful return of Starliner marks a crucial milestone in NASA's Commercial Crew Program, aiming to establish a reliable American transportation system to and from the space station. While this delay presents a hurdle, it prioritizes crew safety and allows for a more thorough evaluation of the spacecraft.