The return to earth of Indian-American Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, two astronauts on board the International Space Station (ISS), has been delayed further due to a technical glitch. The engineers are still trying to fix the issues that developed in the Boeing Starliner spacecraft that are intended to bring them back to Earth. The girl from Gujarat, India, had danced her way to the ISS on June 6.
The snag that causes the delay in the scheduled return of the astronaut is reported to be linked to a helium system leak. However, the Boeing spokesperson has assured that four of the five thrusters are operating normally now.
Meanwhile, there is a probability of seeking help from Elon Musk’s Space X to bring the astronauts back. The Crew Dragon spacecraft of SpaceX might ultimately be tasked with bringing them home aboard its Crew Dragon spacecraft. Space X is a commercial rival to Boeing. If this necessity arises, it will be a big setback to the image of Boeing to the benefit of Space X. Boeing’s initial $4.5 billion NASA contract has already incurred $1.5 billion in cost overruns. Space X and Boeing are fierce competitors within the commercial spaceflight sector.
While the helium leaks are being scrutinised, Sunita Williams and Willmore will stay on the ISS until at least July 2. In the worst case, the capsule carrying the astronauts will make it back to Earth, leaving the service module, which houses the engines, fuel, and helium tanks, behind. NASA and Boeing officials tend to downplay the issue and express confidence that there will not be any need for intervention. It says that the delay will allow more time for the astronauts to study the Starliner to understand of what went wrong.
In the meantime, SpaceX’s Crew Dragon, which can accommodate two to four passengers and can fit additional occupants, is ready in case of an emergency, It has already ferried four astronauts to the ISS in March 2024.
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