Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore NASA astronauts, have been stuck aboard the International Space Station (ISS) for an extended period due to technical issues with the Boeing Starliner spacecraft they were supposed to return home in. Williams and fellow astronaut Butch Wilmore blasted off on June 5th aboard the Starliner, which was meant to be a roughly week-long mission. However, their return has been pushed back multiple times due to thruster malfunctions and helium leaks that occurred during the journey to the ISS.
Day-to-Day Updates on Sunita Williams’ Delays in Returning from ISS
June 5
- Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore launched aboard the Boeing Starliner spacecraft on a mission expected to last about a week.
June 6
- The Starliner spacecraft experienced a helium leak and thruster malfunctions during its journey to the ISS. Engineers began investigating the issues.
June 7
- Additional helium leaks were discovered. Some of the thrusters failed to engage during the approach to the ISS, delaying docking.
June 8
- Engineers worked to understand why the spacecraft’s computer “deselected” certain thrusters. All but one thruster were later restarted.
June 9
- Williams and Wilmore conducted a live press call from the ISS, expressing their confidence in the Starliner team and spacecraft.
June 10-14
- The astronauts remained busy aboard the ISS, performing maintenance tasks and conducting experiments, including changing the pump on a urine recycling machine and gene sequencing experiments.
June 15
- Engineers continued ground simulations to understand the thruster malfunctions and helium leaks better. Boeing executive Mark Nappi mentioned overheating due to excessive firing as a working theory for the thruster issues.
June 16
- NASA and Boeing assessed the spacecraft’s condition, reaffirming that Starliner could still fly home in an emergency. Discussions began about a potential backup plan involving SpaceX Crew Dragon.
June 17-20
- The astronauts tested Starliner as a “safe haven” vehicle and evaluated its life support system when accommodating four people.
June 21
- NASA official Steve Stich confirmed that the primary plan was still to return Williams and Wilmore on Starliner, with Crew Dragon as a backup option.
June 22-30
- Engineering teams ran more simulations and tests to identify and resolve the technical issues. The timeline for the astronauts’ return remained uncertain.
July 1
- Williams and Wilmore continued their scientific and maintenance work aboard the ISS, including further gene sequencing experiments in microgravity.
July 2-10
- Additional helium leaks and thruster malfunctions were examined. Boeing and NASA worked to implement solutions and modifications to the flight plan if necessary.
July 11
- Williams and Wilmore expressed continued confidence in the Starliner team and their safe return during another live press call from the ISS.
July 12-20
- Ongoing tests and simulations were conducted on the ground to address the thruster and helium leak issues.
July 21
- NASA and Boeing reiterated that the problems were isolated to specific thrusters and did not affect the more powerful thrusters needed for the deorbit burn.
July 22-31
- Engineers continued their efforts to resolve the technical issues. The return timeline remained uncertain, with the primary plan still involving Starliner and Crew Dragon as a backup.
August 1
- The astronauts performed routine ISS maintenance and scientific experiments, staying productive while awaiting further instructions.
August 2-10
- Engineering teams made progress on simulations and ground tests, though some uncertainties persisted regarding the thruster malfunctions.
August 11
- Discussions continued about the potential use of SpaceX Crew Dragon if necessary, though the primary plan was still for Starliner.
August 12-20
- Additional ground simulations and tests were conducted to understand and mitigate the technical issues.
August 21
- NASA and Boeing reviewed the latest data and continued to work towards a safe return plan for Williams and Wilmore.
August 22-31
- The astronauts remained engaged in their ISS tasks, maintaining their confidence in the Starliner team and the spacecraft.
September 1
- The latest updates indicate that NASA and Boeing are still working on resolving the technical issues, with the primary plan being to return the astronauts on Starliner, and Crew Dragon as a backup option. The exact return date remains undetermined.
September 2
- On September 2, 2024, NASA announced that Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft will return to Earth without astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore on board. The un-crewed Starliner is scheduled to depart from the International Space Station (ISS) on September 6, with an expected landing early on September 7 at White Sands Space Harbor in New Mexico. The decision to return the Starliner without the astronauts comes as engineers continue to investigate the technical issues that have delayed the mission. Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore will now return to Earth using SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft. NASA plans to provide extensive live coverage of the Starliner’s return, which will be available on NASA’s streaming platforms(NASA,Business Today)
September 3
- NASA confirmed that the Boeing Starliner will return to Earth without astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore onboard. The decision was made to ensure the safety of the astronauts due to the ongoing technical issues with the spacecraft, specifically related to the thrusters and helium leaks. The uncrewed Starliner is scheduled to undock from the ISS on September 6, with a planned landing at White Sands Space Harbor in New Mexico on September 7. Extensive live coverage of the return is expected, and NASA is continuing to monitor the situation closely.
September 4
- Preparations for the Starliner’s return continued, with NASA and Boeing engineers running final checks and simulations to ensure a safe reentry. The spacecraft remains docked at the ISS as teams finalize the adjustments needed for the upcoming undocking procedure. Meanwhile, Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore are preparing for their return on a SpaceX Crew Dragon, which has been identified as the backup option. The Crew Dragon’s mission details are still being finalized, but NASA aims to bring the astronauts home safely by the end of September
September 5
- The Boeing Starliner, which had experienced several technical issues during its mission, undocked from the ISS on
September 6
- NASA decided that it was too risky for astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore to return aboard the spacecraft due to thruster failures and helium leaks. Instead, Starliner departed uncrewed and returned to Earth successfully, landing in New Mexico on.
September 7
- This brings an end to a troubled journey for the spacecraft, which had been planned as a major step in Boeing’s partnership with NASA
September 7-9, 2024: Engineers continue to analyze problems related to Starliner’s propulsion system. Thruster issues and helium leaks remain central concerns, particularly after overheating problems observed during an earlier approach to the ISS.
September 10-12, 2024:
- Boeing confirms that safety concerns have delayed the return of Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore. NASA is examining the spacecraft’s manual flying exercise that led to the thruster overheating, with plans to revise operational procedures to prevent recurrence in future missions(https://nss.org/nss-congratulates-nasa-and-boeing-on-the-safe-return-of-starliner/)(https://aviationweek.com/space/commercial-space/star-crossed-starliner-flight-test-comes-close).
September 13, 2024:
- 2024: NASA decided that Starliner would return to Earth uncrewed due to insufficient time to resolve thruster issues. Williams and Wilmore will now return aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon in early 2025.
September 15, 2024
- Engineers continued analyzing the thruster malfunction, focusing on future flight risk mitigation.
September 16-17, 2024:
- Testing and preparations for Starliner’s next crewed mission were underway while awaiting further NASA updates.
As per multiple sources, Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore will return from the ISS aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule instead of Boeing’s Starliner. Due to unresolved technical issues with Starliner, NASA has rescheduled their return for early 2025. The astronauts will join a future Crew Dragon mission, which is part of NASA’s contingency plan to safely bring them back to Earth.
September 13-15, 2024:
- SpaceX Crew-9 capsule arrived at the ISS, designated to bring Williams and Wilmore back. Their return is now scheduled for February 2025 after extended stays due to issues with the Starliner. The Crew Dragon’s docking was smooth, and NASA is confident in a safe return.
Throughout this period, Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore have demonstrated resilience and adaptability, continuing their mission work aboard the ISS while awaiting a resolution to the Starliner’s technical challenges.
Starliner Faces Technical Challenges
The Starliner spacecraft experienced several issues during its flight to the ISS. It was known before launch that there was one helium leak affecting the spacecraft, but more leaks emerged during the flight. Helium is critical as it provides pressure to the propulsion system. Additionally, some of Starliner’s thrusters that are essential for fine maneuvering initially failed to engage during its approach to the station, delaying docking. Engineers are still investigating why the craft’s computer “deselected” these thrusters, though all but one were later restarted.
Boeing executive Mark Nappi mentioned that the “working theory” for the malfunctioning thrusters was overheating due to excessive firing. Theories on the cause of the helium leaks range from debris entering the propulsion system to Boeing possibly installing seals that were undersized for the task.
Astronauts Remain Confident
Despite the technical challenges, Williams and Wilmore have maintained confidence in the Starliner team and spacecraft. During a live press call from the ISS, mission commander Wilmore responded to inquiries about their confidence, stating, “We’re absolutely confident.” Williams added, “I have a real good feeling in my heart that the spacecraft will bring us home, no problem.”
The astronauts have been busy aboard the ISS while awaiting their return. They have been performing various tasks, such as changing the pump on a machine that recycles urine into drinking water and conducting gene sequencing experiments in the microgravity environment. They have also tested Starliner as a “safe haven” vehicle in case of problems aboard the ISS and evaluated its life support system when accommodating four people.
NASA and Boeing Assess Options
Before Williams and Wilmore can return home, engineering teams need to run more simulations of similar thrusters and helium seals on the ground. This is to better understand the root causes of the technical issues Starliner experienced and modify the flight plan if necessary.
NASA and Boeing insist that Starliner could still fly home in case of an emergency, particularly since the problems only affected certain thrusters that control orientation. They have no concerns over any of the more powerful thrusters responsible for the “deorbit burn” that will bring the spaceship back.
However, much remains unclear, including whether the orientation control thrusters that malfunctioned have become degraded, which would make it necessary to rely on other thrusters during descent. NASA official Steve Stich stated, “The prime option today is to return Butch and Suni on Starliner,” while acknowledging that a return flight on SpaceX Crew Dragon is a backup option if necessary.
Implications for Boeing and NASA
The Starliner mission is part of NASA’s effort to certify new spacecraft for crewed missions following the retirement of the Space Shuttle program. In 2014, both SpaceX and Boeing were awarded multibillion-dollar contracts by NASA to develop these crewed vehicles. SpaceX carried out a successful crewed test in 2020 and has flown dozens of people since, while Boeing’s Starliner has faced several setbacks.
The docked Starliner’s problems have added to Boeing’s costs, with the program already having exceeded the $4.5 billion NASA budget by $1.5 billion. The program itself has faced years of delays.
Conclusion
Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore’s extended stay aboard the ISS highlights the challenges faced by the Starliner program. While the astronauts remain confident in the spacecraft and team, significant uncertainties remain regarding the technical issues and the timeline for their return. NASA and Boeing are working to resolve the problems and ensure a safe return for the astronauts, but the situation serves as a reminder of the complexities and risks involved in human spaceflight. As the Starliner program continues to face setbacks, it remains to be seen how it will impact Boeing’s reputation and NASA’s plans for future crewed missions.
Fact-Check and Updates
- Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore’s launch date: Confirmed as June 5th.
- Technical issues: Helium leaks and thruster malfunctions have been confirmed as ongoing issues.
- Boeing’s working theory: Overheating due to excessive firing is a plausible explanation for thruster malfunctions.
- NASA’s budget for Starliner: The program has indeed exceeded the initial $4.5 billion budget by $1.5 billion.
- Backup plan: NASA’s consideration of SpaceX Crew Dragon as an alternative return vehicle is accurate.
