Boeing Starliner astronauts stuck in space longer than planned

It was a rather exciting moment earlier this month as the countdown reached zero – after a few previous postponed efforts – and the Boeing Starliner spacecraft blasted off with two NASA astronauts on board. The mission for Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams was to dock with the International Space Station on 6 June, the day after launch, and then return a week later. This return, however, has been delayed.

Why is Starliner return delayed?

NASA and Boeing issued a joint statement in which they said that, “the extra time allows the team to finalize departure planning and operations while the spacecraft remains cleared for crew emergency return scenarios within the flight rules.”

There were a number of issues on the flight out to the ISS, with four helium leaks and five failures of the craft’s 28 maneuvering thrusters reported. Even when docked, further problems arose, said NASA, with another helium leak and an oxidizer valve becoming stuck.

When will the Boeing Starliner return to Earth?

The new scheduled date of departure from the space station is 22 June, although there is always the chance that this is pushed back further if appropriate preparations are not completed by then. The journey is expected to take around six hours, around a quarter of the outward flight.

Where will the Boeing Starliner land?

Once if does return, Wilmore and Williams will touchdown – assuming all goes to plan – in the desert of Utah, New Mexico. As with other descents, with weather changes being a factor, alternative sites have already been designated.