Sunita Williams Stuck In Space? ISRO Chief Has This To Say On NASA’s Stalled Boeing Crew Flight Test

NASA has postponed the return of the Boeing Starliner to Earth from the International Space Station (ISS) with its first crew of astronauts – Barry Eugene ‘Butch’ Wilmore and Sunita Williams – to allow more time for review of technical issues encountered.

Wilmore and Williams lifted off in the Starliner on June 5 from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Florida, as a final demonstration to obtain routine flight certification from NASA for the Boeing Starliner. They were scheduled to return on June 14.

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) chief S. Somanath has said that the delayed return of the astronauts should not be a cause for significant concern. In an interview to NDTV, he emphasised that the ISS is a safe place with long endurance.

Getting stranded or stuck in a place is not a narrative that we must have at this moment, NDTV quoted him as saying. There are nine astronauts there; all of them are not in a stranded situation, he said.

Somanath added that the main focus is testing the Boeing Starliner to ensure its ability to safely travel to and from space. Ground launch providers have sufficient capabilities to bring the astronauts back home, he said, adding that the ISS is a secure place for astronauts to stay for extended periods.

Somanath said the biggest question today, when a spacecraft like the Starliner is developed, should be whether it can operate reliably for onward and return journeys, and this is what the agencies concerned are thinking.

He also expressed ISRO’s pride in Sunita Williams, noting the numerous missions the Indian-origin astronaut has undertaken. He commended her bravery in being part of the first flight of a new space vehicle.

Meanwhile, Steve Stich, the manager of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, has announced that NASA is considering extending Starliner’s mission from 45 days to 90 days, as reported by CNN.

What Is The Issue With Starliner Spacecraft?

Several issues have reportedly been detected in some key mechanisms that need to work well for a safe flight.

The launch delay was reportedly due to issues with a spacecraft valve responsible for regulating the flow of oxidisers. Oxidisers are chemicals that assist rockets during lift-off and change the rocket’s path by aiding combustion. The valve was making an audible buzzing sound before the launch, according to a report by ‘The Telegraph’.

NASA previously said that postponing the undocking of the Starliner from ISS would provide additional time for teams to investigate a minor helium leak in the Boeing Starliner spacecraft’s service module, which was traced to a flange on a single reaction control system thruster. Helium is crucial for pressurising the rockets, maintaining their structural integrity, and manoeuvring the spacecraft.

The initial problem appeared to be minor. However, since its June 5 launch, the capsule has experienced five helium leaks, five dead manoeuvring thrusters, and a propellant valve that failed to close completely. This has required the crew in space and mission managers in Houston to spend more time than expected making mid-mission repairs, according to Reuters.

What Happens To Sunita Williams And Butch Wilmore?

The spacecraft can remain docked for up to 45 days. Beyond that, the ISS has supplies and other materials that can last for several months, so there is no immediate danger to the two astronauts.

If safety concerns remain, the astronauts may have to come back to Earth on SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft, which is also currently attached to the ISS, according to a report in The Guardian.