Two astronauts, Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, remain at the International Space Station (ISS) due to persistent technical issues with Boeing’s Starliner capsule. Despite Boeing’s claims that “the astronauts are not stranded,” their return has been delayed multiple times, as reported by the Associated Press.
The astronauts were scheduled to return on June 14, but the journey has been repeatedly postponed due to various problems, including difficulties docking with the ISS and several helium leaks in the Starliner.
NASA is currently analyzing these issues to determine a safe departure date for Wilmore and Williams. “So far, we don’t see any scenario where Starliner is not going to be able to bring Butch and Suni home,” said Steve Stich, NASA’s commercial crew program manager.
This mission marks the Starliner’s first crewed flight to space, a significant step after years of delays and technical setbacks. NASA allocated $4.2 billion to Boeing for the Starliner’s development, aiming to complement SpaceX’s capability in transporting astronauts to and from the ISS.
Boeing’s recent troubles are not limited to space endeavors. The company faces criticism for quality control issues, highlighted by airplane incidents and a whistleblower’s death. Although these problems are unrelated to the Starliner, they contribute to the perception of a broader crisis within Boeing.