NASA has announced that astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams will remain in space until February 2025 due to safety concerns. The decision comes as it is deemed “too risky” to bring them back to Earth at this time. Consequently, Boeing’s Starliner capsule will return without the two astronauts.
Wilmore and Williams, who arrived at the International Space Station (ISS) in June as part of NASA’s Boeing Crew Flight Test, will continue their duties as members of the Expedition 71/72 crew. Their mission will now be extended to approximately eight months, rather than the initially planned one week. They are scheduled to return aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft with additional crew members from the SpaceX Crew-9 mission.
NASA stated that the uncrewed return of the Starliner capsule will allow for ongoing testing and data collection, ensuring that the spacecraft’s systems are thoroughly evaluated without endangering the crew. The Starliner is expected to depart the ISS and make a controlled, autonomous re-entry in early September.
NASA Administrator Bill Nelson emphasized the commitment to safety as the primary reason for the decision. “Spaceflight is inherently risky, and a test flight is neither safe nor routine,” Nelson said. “Our decision to keep Butch and Sunita aboard the ISS and send the Starliner home uncrewed reflects our core value of safety.”
Problems with the Starliner, including helium leaks and issues with the spacecraft’s reaction control thrusters, were identified on June 6 as it approached the ISS. Since then, extensive engineering work has been undertaken, including data analysis, flight and ground testing, and independent reviews. These measures have highlighted that the current uncertainties do not meet the stringent safety and performance standards required for human spaceflight.
In light of these developments, NASA has opted to transfer Wilmore and Williams to the Crew-9 mission, ensuring their safe return while allowing for continued evaluation and improvements of the Starliner’s systems.
