2 American NASA Astronauts ‘Stuck’ In Space After Starliner Malfunctions Amid Boeing Criminal Fraud Case
Two American NASA astronauts are currently stuck in space aboard the ISS due to repeated technical issues with their spacecraft.
Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore were originally scheduled to come home after one week. However, engineers have delayed their return flight due to the capsule's red flag safety concerns.
Reports say the Starliner — built by troubled aerospace manufacturer Boeing under a $4.2 million contract — has been experiencing a multitude of technical issues, starting with the one that occurred before launch and a host of new ones since then.
According to 'The Independent,' NASA's commercial crew chief told reporters that they're taking their time with the process of testing, and concluded that the results of the New Mexico thruster tests are "not quite" what they would have "hoped for."
Chief Steve Stich hopes to have testing done by this weekend, although he's previously mentioned that the process could take "a couple weeks," in addition to a data review by NASA to determine whether the Starliner will be able to fly home.
"We have a little bit more time to go through the data, and then make a decision as to whether we need to do anything different with the return plan," Stich said, per the news outlet. "But the prime option today is to return Butch and Suni on Starliner. Right now, we don't see any reason that wouldn't be the case."
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The craft reportedly experienced helium leaks and thruster issues, which are both responsible for the delay in their return back to earth. Williams, 58, and Wilmore, 61, were taken to the ISS aboard the troubled aircraft in June. Today, it seems the duo won't be coming back down until August, per NASA.
"I have a real good feeling in my heart that the spacecraft will bring us home with no problem," astronaut Wilmore of the Commercial Crew Program stated. "We trust that the tests that we're doing are the ones we need to do to get the right answers, to give us the data that we need to come back."
Boeing has been under fire this year following multiple instances of technical issues which led to disastrous travels and dozens of injured flyers. According to the 'Associated Press,' the airliner will have a felony conviction if they follow through on pleading guilty to fraud in connection with the approval of its troubled 737 Max jet.
