The National Aeronautics of Space Administration (NASA) has shared an update on the return of Sunita Williams. The US space agency has said that the Boeing Starliner spacecraft is scheduled to undock from the International Space Station (ISS) on June 22 and return to Earth. This will give more time to finalize the plan for the complex process.
On June 5, NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams launched on a Starliner spacecraft. They successfully reached the International Space Station (ISS) the next day after a 24-hour journey. They reached the ISS after several delays as the spacecraft encountered challenges including four helium leaks and five malfunctions in its 28 maneuvering thrusters.
“The additional time will allow the team to finalize departure planning and operations while the spacecraft is cleared for crew emergency return scenarios under flight rules,” NASA and Boeing said in a statement.
According to NASA, the return to Earth will take about six hours and will target a location in the desert of Utah, New Mexico or one of the other backup locations, depending on local weather conditions.
“They are targeting a departure no earlier than June 22, leaving open the opportunity for further extension of time at the ISS. Starliner, although designed for future six-month missions, can remain attached to the ISS for a maximum of 45 days during its current mission,” the agency said.
In addition, on June 18, NASA and Boeing will discuss Starliner’s mission and departure from the ISS in a pre-departure media teleconference as part of the agency’s Boeing Crew Flight Test.
Williams, a 59-year-old Indian-American astronaut who safely docked Boeing’s Starliner, also did a little dance as she reached the space station on June 7. She achieved the feat of being the first woman to operate and assess a new crewed spacecraft during its first mission.
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Published: June 15, 2024, 08:25 AM IST
