NASA faces new challengess for the return of astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams from the International Space Station (ISS)
What was initially planned as a short 8-day mission turned into an extended stay that could extend for at least 10 months.
Delays in the development and launch of spacecraft needed for crew rotation were the main cause of this change.
When Wilmore and Williams blasted off for the ISS in June, they were expected to return after just over a week. However, technical problems with the experimental Starliner spacecraft, developed by Boeing, changed the schedule. Initially, their return was postponed until February next year. Today, due to a further delay in the launch of an additional capsule necessary for the mission, the return is not expected before the end of March, or even April.
No risk for astronauts
Despite these setbacks, NASA assures that this extended stay poses no risk to the health or safety of the astronauts. In a statement, the agency said: “The International Space Station recently received two resupply flights in November and is well stocked with food, water, clothing and oxygen for the crew.” Additionally, the shipments were confirmed to include special items for the crew to celebrate the Christmas holidays in space.
For Simeon Barber, an expert at the Open University, this delay, although regrettable, is not unusual for space missions. “They are probably disappointed not to be able to spend Christmas at home with their loved ones. But it’s just another two months of an already long mission and I’m sure if you ask them, they’ll tell you the space station is where they love to be,” Mr. Barber.
The causes of the delay in the return of astronauts to Earth
The delays are also linked to the difficulties encountered in preparing the next manned missions. According to NASA, crew rotation on the ISS requires the launch of a new Dragon capsule, developed by SpaceX. That capsule won’t be ready until the end of March, which has pushed back the replacement of the current crew and the return of Wilmore and Williams, as well as other astronauts such as NASA’s Nick Hague and Aleksandr Gorbunov of Roscosmos.
Initially, NASA considered using a different Dragon capsule to speed up the rotation process. However, the final decision was to wait until the new capsule was fully prepared. This approach aims to guarantee the safety and efficiency of the operation, even if it involves additional time.
The complexity of space missions and the collaboration between international agencies and private companies, such as SpaceX and Boeing, contribute to the dynamic and often unpredictable nature of these operations. The International Space Station, which is in low Earth orbit, depends on a constant supply of resources and regular rotation of crews to maintain operations. Despite the delays, NASA emphasizes that all decisions are guided by the priority of protecting the astronauts and ensuring the success of the mission.
For now, Wilmore and Williams must adapt to an extended stay which will test their resistance and their training for long-term missions. Meanwhile, teams on Earth are working to resolve the technical and logistical issues that will allow them to make the safe return.
