When will Sunita Williams Return from Space? Check Here!

Originally, they planned to return on June 13, but the mission has faced several postponements, and there is no new return date established as of now. NASA's Commercial Crew Program launched the Starliner mission on June 5, 2024, to demonstrate the spacecraft's capabilities for future crewed missions.

However, complications arose shortly after launch, prompting NASA to conduct thorough technical reviews to ensure the astronauts' safety before their return. NASA officials have stated that the astronauts are not stranded and are remaining in orbit to allow for necessary evaluations of the spacecraft's systems.

Previous Boeing Mission Delays

A software glitch caused the capsule's first unmanned test flight in 2019 to deviate off course, missing the International Space Station. The incident was caused by inadequate safety tests performed by Boeing, according to NASA.

A launch attempt in 2021 was postponed due to valve blockages. After that, in May 2022, the capsule made a successful unmanned docking with the International Space Station. But then other problems surfaced, such as parachutes and combustible cabin tape. The necessary crewed test flight to certify Starliner for routine NASA missions to the International Space Station (ISS) was further delayed by these issues.

Current Status of Sunita Williams' Return

Sunita Williams and her colleague Butch Wilmore are currently aboard the International Space Station (ISS) as part of Boeing's Starliner Crew Flight Test (CFT). They have experienced delays in their return due to technical issues with the Starliner spacecraft, which they initially scheduled to return on June 14, 2024. The spacecraft has been docked at the ISS since June 6, and ongoing testing and evaluations are crucial for ensuring a safe return.

Technical Issues and Delays

Numerous technological issues, such as helium leaks and thruster failures, beset the Starliner spaceship. NASA and Boeing decided to prolong the astronauts' mission past the original schedule in response to these problems. 

To ease these fears, they put the spacecraft's propulsion system through a rigorous testing regimen. Recent thruster testing, such as fire tests, revealed that 27 out of 28 thrusters operated satisfactorily, demonstrating progress in fixing the technical issues.

Upcoming Plans for Return

NASA is currently reviewing data from the recent tests and preparing for a Flight Test Readiness Review, which will help determine the exact timing of Williams and Wilmore's return. They have potential undocking dates available throughout August, with a target return date expected to be set after the review.

Congestion at the ISS

NASA could have a backlog at the International Space Station (ISS) because the SpaceX Crew-9 mission is not expected to fly until August 18. This makes the Starliner's return even more urgent because the ISS can only hold so many spacecraft at once. NASA officials have stated that to make room for the forthcoming Crew-9 mission, the Starliner will need to undock shortly.

NASA is making every effort to guarantee the safe return of Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams, even though they have not yet provided a particular return date. The conclusion of the latest testing and the impending evaluation will be crucial in determining when they will return. As testing and evaluations continue, updates are anticipated as the situation remains volatile.

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