NASA is gearing up to bring home two astronauts stranded in space 🚀! According to an update on Tuesday, the agency plans to conduct two important reviews before deciding how to safely return them to Earth 🌍.
The two astronauts, Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, arrived at the International Space Station (ISS) on June 6 aboard the Boeing Starliner after launching from Cape Canaveral on June 5. But things didn't go exactly as planned 😬.
During Starliner's flight to the ISS, engineers noticed some of the spacecraft's thrusters weren't behaving as expected 😱. On top of that, there were several leaks in Starliner's helium system. Yikes!
NASA and Boeing's engineering teams have been hard at work 🔧, running thruster tests and diving deep into data to figure out what's going on with the spacecraft.
To make sure everything is A-OK for the astronauts' return, NASA will hold a Program Control Board Review and an Agency Flight Readiness Review. They're expected to make a decision by the end of August 📅.
Wilmore and Williams might return home aboard Starliner, or they could hitch a ride with SpaceX's Crew-9 mission early next year 🚀. Originally, they were only supposed to stay at the ISS for eight days, but their space adventure has been extended!
As NASA continues to evaluate all options, we're rooting for a safe trip home for these brave explorers 🌠. Stay tuned for more updates!
Reference(s):
NASA to conduct two reviews on stranded astronauts' return status
cgtn.com
