The Plan for Stranded Astronauts Still Unclear

The fate of the astronauts who are stranded at the International Space Station ISS will not be decided for at least another week, announced USA's space authority Nasa on Wednesday.

» Published: August 14 2024

The Plan for Stranded Astronauts Still Unclear
Photo: Nasa via AP/TT

According to NASA, a decision has yet to be made about the two astronauts – Barry “Butch” Wilmore and Suni Williams – being kept at the space station and whether the damaged Starliner capsule should be sent back empty.

If that is the case, the astronauts' return journey will be arranged by competitor Space X, but it would mean they would stay at the space station until February next year.

Further analysis is needed before a decision can be made, according to NASA.

We have time before we bring Starliner back and we want to use that time wisely, says Ken Bowersox at the agency.

The astronauts left Earth with Boeing's Starliner on June 5 and were supposed to be back eight days later.

Starliner was affected during the journey, among other things, by helium leakage and problems with fuel supply. Moreover, five steering rockets stopped functioning.

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By TTTranslated and adapted by Sweden Herald
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