To rescue two astronauts retained at the International Space Station since June due to failures in the Boeing Starliner ship, the NASA resorted to Spacex – which also suffered technical problems.
The astronauts of Sunita “Suni” Williams and Barry “Butch” Wilmore have been for more than 9 months at the International Space Station (ISS) due to technical problems in Boeing’s Starliner Nave that took them in June 2024. The last advanced date by NASA for return was postponed again – and a prolonged space mission once again.
On June 5, 2024, Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore launched in the space at Boeing’s Capsule Starliner’s manned mission to perform a crucial test before NASA approval for routine flights.faced setbacks that resulted in the unexpected extension of the Astronaut’s stay at ISS.
Starline with technical problems
During the route to the ISS, Starliner was flawed in five of its 28 maneuver drivers and registered several helium escapes, essential for the pressurization of the thrusters. These anomalies raised concerns about the safety of the capsule for the return of astronauts.
On August 24, the NASA Administrator Bill Nelson announced that Williams and Wilmore would only return to Earth in early 2025,
“NASA has decided that Butch and Suni will return with the crew 9 in February next February and that Starliner will return without crew.”
successful in the desert of New Mexico.
Dependence on for the return
Due to Starliner failures, Boeing’s main competitor on space flights to ensure the safe return of Williams and Wilmore.
NASA announced on March 7, 2025 that they would return aboard Spacex Crew Dragon on March 16. For that Dragon
e They are experienced astronauts, with distinct careers in NASA. Suni has commanded ISS and performed nine space walks, totaling 62 hours and 6 minutes. Burch, a former US Navy Captain, has been in NASA since 2000 and has been twice at the International Space Station as a flight engineer in 2014 and then as commander of the expedition 42 from November 2014 to March 2015.
A (ISS) is the largest scientific laboratory built outside the earth. It has been in orbit for over 25 years at about 400 km altitude. The first module was released on November 20, 1998, but the evolution is continuous. It is the biggest construction that man did out of land in a partnership that brings together “rivals” nations.
On July 26, 2022, but in May 2023 ended up remaining on board until 2028.