Sunita Williams, the Indian-origin American astronaut, was expected to return to Earth on 13 June. However, unfortunately, she and her colleague, Butch Wilmore, remain at the International Space Station (ISS) due to a leak in the Starliner rocket.

Sunita Williams
Image Source: Rediff.com

Williams and Wilmore have been at the ISS for over ten days now, waiting for a safe return. According to a report from the Hindustan Times, the leak was initially considered minor by NASA and Boeing managers, who deemed the rocket safe for launch. They believed the leak was too small to cause any significant threat to the mission. However, this decision has resulted in the two astronauts being stranded at the ISS.

NASA's Response to Starliner Issues Involving Sunita Williams

The launch of the Starliner had already faced delays due to a previous leak. Once in orbit, the situation worsened when four additional helium leaks developed, rendering one of the thrusters unusable. This series of malfunctions has raised significant concerns about the Starliner’s ability to safely complete the six-hour return journey to Earth.

Steve Stich, manager of NASA's Commercial Crew Program, commented on the situation, stating, "We are taking our time and following our standard mission management team process. We are letting the data drive our decision-making relative to managing the small helium system leaks and thruster performance we observed during rendezvous and docking."

Despite assurances from officials that Wilmore and Williams are not stranded and could undock and return home if necessary, the ongoing tests and issues surrounding the Starliner raise doubts about its current condition. NASA and Boeing managers are carefully reviewing telemetry, conducting tests, and developing contingency plans to address any problems that might arise after undocking.

The Starliner program, a significant project for Boeing, has been under intense scrutiny. The aerospace giant has faced significant criticism following high-profile malfunctions of its aircraft over the past year. At least 20 whistleblowers have expressed concerns about safety and quality issues at Boeing, further damaging the company’s reputation.

Boeing has invested approximately $1.5 billion in cost overruns beyond the initial $4.5 billion contract with NASA. The goal was to establish the Starliner as a second mode of transportation to the ISS, alongside SpaceX’s Crew Dragon. However, the leaks and technical issues threaten the future of the Starliner program, potentially putting into harm its role in NASA’s Commercial Crew Program and further tarnishing Boeing’s reputation in the aerospace industry.

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