Would you ever go to space? Imagine you are sent to space to orbit the Earth for 8 days, but then that 8 day stay turns into 8 months! That scenario is real life for astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore.
On June 5, 2024, Williams and Wilmore were sent to the International Space Station on a Boeing Starliner spacecraft. During this 8 day stay, they were meant to test out different aspects of the Starliner and see how the spacecraft functions with a human crew. NASA hopes that the Starliner would provide another way for astronauts to get to The International Space Station (ISS). However, due to malfunctions, Williams and Wilmore will not return until 2025.
Boeing and SpaceX are both private companies that are competing to be used by the government to transport astronauts. SpaceX has made over 20 successful trips to the ISS since starting to compete with Boeing in 2020. Boeing has been anxious to complete a successful trip to the ISS with a human crew.
Boeing planned on launching the starliner in May, but was delayed due to a problem with a valve in a rocket and a helium leak. They finally launched the Starliner with Wiliams and Wilmore atop an Atlas V rocket on June 5th, but there were several problems. NASA released a statement that there were three helium leaks, as well as failed thrusters. The crew did successfully dock with the ISS but could not return on the Starliner, which landed in New Mexico at the beginning of September.
NASA said in their latest statement, “There is no rush to bring (the) crew home. This is a lesson learned from the space shuttle Columbia accident.” Williams and Wilmore will be brought home in March of 2025 by the SpaceX Crew-9 Dragon spacecraft.
For now the Starliner passengers are integrated into the crew on the ISS. They are currently performing maintenance tasks, researching fluid physics, maintaining the plant facility, operating robots and observing Earth.
Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams continue to call their family regularly and even plan to vote in the 2024 election from space! Further updates will be shared at nasa.gov/news.
