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Recent reports suggesting that astronauts onboard the Starliner at the ISS are stranded have been clarified by NASA and Boeing officials. In a press conference held on Friday, both companies emphasized that the astronauts are not stranded but are taking advantage of the extra time to conduct additional tests on the capsule before its return to Earth.
Steve Stich, NASA’s commercial crew program manager, explained during the conference that there is no rush to bring the astronauts home, as the ISS provides a safe environment to troubleshoot any issues with the spacecraft.
Engineers from Boeing and NASA will be heading to New Mexico’s White Sands Test Facility to perform remote tests on Starliner’s thrusters, vital for safe docking and undocking from the ISS. Despite some minor helium leaks post-launch, officials assure that these are not a concern for the return journey.
The thruster testing process is anticipated to take a few weeks, with astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams staying aboard. Originally scheduled for a shorter mission, the landing plan will be decided upon completion of the tests.
Although the root cause of the problems is still under investigation, both Stich and Mark Nappi of Boeing reiterate the safety of Starliner for emergencies. This was evident earlier this week when the ISS narrowly avoided a collision with debris from a defunct Russian satellite, prompting precautionary measures that highlighted the importance of a safe return strategy.
Despite the uncertainties, efforts are being made to ensure a smooth transition for the astronauts back to Earth. Stay tuned for updates on this exciting journey!