NASA is set to make a crucial decision regarding the fate of two astronauts stranded aboard the International Space Station (ISS) after their return vehicle, Boeing’s Starliner, was deemed too risky to use. The astronauts, Butch Wilmore, 61, and Suni Williams, 58, embarked on an eight-day mission in early June but have been unable to return due to ongoing issues with the Starliner spacecraft.
This decision, expected to be announced soon, will likely delay the astronauts’ return until February, leaving them on the ISS for several more months. The situation marks another setback for Boeing’s troubled Starliner program, which has faced multiple delays and technical challenges.
“Space is risky, even at its safest and most routine. And a test flight, by nature, is neither safe nor routine,” NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said at a press briefing on Saturday. He emphasized that NASA’s “core value is safety, and it is our north star,” referencing past tragedies involving space shuttles and their crews.
NASA’s decision will be a critical moment for both the astronauts and Boeing’s Starliner program, as it could influence the future of crewed space missions involving the spacecraft.
