Spacecraft: Indian-origin astronaut Sunita Williams and her partner Butch Wilmore are stuck in space these days. Both the astronauts were coming back to Earth after spending a week on the International Space Station, during which their plane Boeing Starliner malfunctioned and they got stuck in space. Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore were supposed to return to Earth on June 13, but due to the Boeing Starliner malfunction, their exact whereabouts are not known. Engineers found many defects in the plane and NASA is not yet able to tell when they will be able to return to Earth. However, the matter of relief is that both the astronauts are said to be healthy.
According to a report by NDTV, the SpaceX plane owned by Elon Musk can save Sunita and Butch. In such a situation, SpaceX can be entrusted with the task of bringing Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore to Earth. Elon Musk’s SpaceX Crew Dragon had carried four astronauts to the ISS in March itself. This plane can seat two to four passengers. In case of emergency, additional passengers can also be seated in this plane.
Helium leak has become a problem
It is being told that Boeing’s Starliner capsule took off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on June 5 at 10:52 am US time. The crew is present in this capsule. The plane was to return to Earth in nine days, but due to the leak of helium in the capsule, this journey has become uncertain. The matter of concern in this whole matter is that the Harmony module to which the Starliner capsule is connected has limited amount of fuel. Starliner can stay docked for only 45 days, so if no concrete steps are taken soon, then safe return may be in danger.
Astronauts can stay in the plane until July 2
Due to lack of fuel, Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore may stay in the ISS till July 2. In such a situation, they will have to come to Earth before July 2. Engineers are currently investigating the helium leak affecting the Starliner, which is stationed at the station. Michael Lembeck, professor of aerospace engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and former Boeing spaceflight consultant, has given detailed information about this. He believes that astronauts will return to Earth from Starliner itself. SpaceX will not need to move forward.
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