Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore, NASA astronauts who have been aboard the International Space Station (ISS) since June, will have to wait even longer to return to Earth.
Originally scheduled to return after a week of mission, the astronauts’ stay was extended until February 2025 due to technical problems with the experimental Starliner spacecraft, manufactured by Boeing.
But now, with the delay in launching a new capsule to the ISS, Williams and Wilmore’s return may not occur until late March or possibly April.
NASA once again assured that the delay poses no risk to astronauts.
In a statement, the agency said the ISS received two resupply missions in November and is well equipped with supplies, including food, water, clothing and oxygen.
Additionally, the resupply ships carried special items so the crew could celebrate the holidays in space.
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NASA also confirmed that a new crew needs to be launched before Williams and Wilmore can return.
The next launch, which was scheduled for February 2025, was postponed by more than a month due to delays in SpaceX’s preparation of a new Dragon capsule.
NASA studied the possibility of using a different capsule to transport the new team, but decided that the best option would be to wait for the new capsule to ensure continuity of operations.
