Astronaut Sunita Williams stranded on ISS as NASA's Boeing Starliner return delayed

Astronaut Sunita Williams

NASA has once again delayed the return of the Boeing Starliner spacecraft, which is currently orbiting the Earth with astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore aboard. Initially scheduled to return on June 26 after a brief postponement from June 14, the spacecraft will now remain at the International Space Station (ISS) for an indeterminate period. This decision allows NASA to thoroughly review several technical anomalies, including issues with the spacecraft's maneuvering thrusters and a slow-moving propellant valve.

The Starliner, dubbed Calypso, took off on June 5, marking its final demonstration flight aimed at securing routine flight certification from NASA. The mission faced challenges shortly after launch, with five of the spacecraft's 28 maneuvering thrusters failing and additional complications such as helium gas leaks occurring. Despite these hurdles, the crew managed to dock with the ISS, where they were welcomed with traditional bell rings, a nod to naval traditions, celebrating their arrival.

Sunita Williams, an Indian-origin American astronaut, is not new to space travel. This mission marks her third journey to the ISS and has seen her play a pivotal role in testing the Starliner's manual piloting capabilities—an essential backup for the predominantly autonomous spacecraft. Known affectionately as Suni, Williams has expressed immense joy at being part of this mission, which she regards as a reunion with her "space family."

The return journey for Starliner is tentatively set after a planned spacewalk on July 2, as mission managers assess safe return windows following this and another spacewalk scheduled for June 24. As the crew awaits their journey back to Earth, they continue to work and live aboard the ISS, contributing to space exploration and research.

Williams, a celebrated astronaut selected by NASA in 1998, carries not only the technological prowess but also a piece of her heritage into space, often bringing the Bhagavad Gita and samosas to share a piece of her culture with fellow astronauts. Her ongoing mission on the Starliner continues to inspire and challenge the boundaries of international space missions.