NASA postpones returning astronauts from their space missions until 2025.
The space expedition has taken an unexpected turn: Originally, NASA intended for two astronauts to spend a week aboard the ISS, but it's now been eight months due to issues with the "Starliner". NASA won't be returning the astronauts until February 2025 using SpaceX's "Crew Dragon". The cause behind this extension is the difficulties with the "Starliner". According to NASA chief Bill Nelson, this measure is taken for safety reasons. The mentioned astronauts, Suni Williams and Barry Wilmore, are set to return to Earth in February 2025, leaving SpaceX's "Crew Dragon".
Under this new plan, NASA astronauts will make their return to Earth in the same "Crew Dragon" during the planned launch of "Crew 9" in September, though with only two out of the expected four astronauts. Williams and Wilmore will be part of this crew, ultimately returning to Earth with their fellow crew members in 2025. In a twist of events, the problematic "Starliner" will land without any crew on board.
The mission began with the first manned test flight of the "Starliner" in June, which was intended to last only a week. However, numerous technical issues arose during this period, affecting the engines and helium leaks.
Initial Manned Test Flight
After these complications, NASA debated for a considerable time whether to bring the two astronauts back or wait for the "Crew Dragon" for their return, several months down the line. The reusable "Starliner" from American aerospace firm Boeing consists of a round, 3-meter-high crew capsule and a service module. Unlike the "Crew Dragon" from SpaceX, which lands on water, it touches down on Earth.
The launch took place from the spaceport in Cape Canaveral, Florida, in June after several delays. In May 2022, the "Starliner" successfully completed its first unmanned mission to the ISS, where it spent four days. In the foreseeable future, it is set to transport astronauts to the ISS as an alternative to "Crew Dragon" spacecraft.
The astronauts Suni Williams and Barry Wilmore, currently aboard the ISS, were supposed to return to Earth after a week, but due to issues with the Starliner, their stay has been extended to February 2025. In the meantime, they will return to Earth with NASA's Crew 9 in September, using SpaceX's reusable Crew Dragon.
