NASA has announced two of its astronauts will remain at the International Space Station (ISS) until February 2025.
Astronauts Barry Wilmore and Sunita Williams travelled to the ISS in early June, on a mission to test Boeing’s first crewed spacecraft.
The mission was scheduled to last a week, but technical difficulties with the craft made their return unsafe.
They’ll now return on a different spacecraft next year.
The Mission
Boeing’s Starliner spaceship launched on 5 June, with Wilmore and Williams aboard, after two previous failed attempts.
NASA and Boeing intended to test if the Starliner could become a “safe, reliable, and sustainable” way to get to the ISS.
In its latest update, Boeing said it’s completed more than a dozen tests since the Starliner’s launch.
Return
The spacecraft was initially expected to return on 14 June.
However, NASA and Boeing identified issues with the Starliner, including helium leaks and malfunctions with the thruster, which guides the craft to dock at the ISS.
Over the weekend, NASA announced the Starliner will now return to Earth without the astronauts onboard, saying it’s “not accepting more risk than necessary for its crew.”
NASA space mission administrator Ken Bowersox said: “Decisions like this are never easy… We’ve learned a lot about the spacecraft during its journey to the station and its docked operations.”
The Starliner must return to Earth before a new spacecraft can be sent to pick up the astronauts, because of the number of docking spots at the ISS.
SpaceX
The astronauts will now be brought home on a SpaceX craft in February.
SpaceX, which is owned by Elon Musk, has begun prepping a spacecraft to accommodate the two astronauts, including reconfiguring seats and preparing appropriate spacesuits.
SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell said the company “stands ready to support NASA however [it] can”.
Boeing
In a statement to social media, Boeing said it has begun “executing the mission” under NASA instructions.
It said it will continue prioritising the “safety of the crew and spacecraft” as it prepares for a return.
The Starliner will continue to be observed for more data during its uncrewed return to improve the system for future flights to the space station.
