NASA Shares Update on Potential Astronauts Trapped in Space Through 2025: ‘It’s Decision Time!’

NASA has shared an update on the astronauts stuck on the International Space Station, admitting they “really have to make a decision” about how to get them home. In June, astronauts Barry Wilmore and Suni Williams launched on what was supposed to be an eight-day mission, but things didn’t go as planned.

Problems with Boeing Starliner

During their journey to the International Space Station (ISS), they encountered several problems with the capsule. The Boeing Starliner suffered five helium leaks and five maneuvering thrusters failed. The duo is now living aboard the ISS with other astronauts, but they currently have no way to get home.

Despite being stuck in space for now, Wilmore and Williams are trying to keep their spirits up. During a recent press conference with reporters, Williams said: “We’re doing a full job here, fully integrated into the crew. It feels like coming home. It’s good to be floating in space, it’s good to be in space and working with the ISS team. So, yeah, it’s great to be here.” While it was initially feared that the duo could only survive 72 days, it’s now believed that the astronauts may not return to Earth until 2025.

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NASA response

Steve Stich, NASA’s commercial crew program manager, recently explained that if the tests prove too risky to make the trip home on Starliner, they may have to return on SpaceX’s Crew-9 return flight. The problem is, that flight won’t be ready until February. Ken Bowersox, NASA’s associate administrator for space operations, provided an additional update on the astronauts during a conference call on Wednesday (Aug. 14). “We’ve had very honest conversations with each other, and I’m not surprised that the Boeing team is 100 percent behind their vehicle,” the NASA expert said.

“We really have to make a decision.”

“But I can also tell you that they want to work with us in partnership, which is important to the NASA team. And when we come to a decision, we will work on it together,” Bowersox added. “It’s getting harder. We’re getting to the point where we have to make a decision by the last week of August, if not sooner.”

“Butch and Sonny are so well integrated into the space station. It’s great to be up there, enjoying the surroundings, eating amazing space food, and being able to look out the window. So I know they’re doing their best at this time, but I’m sure they’re looking forward to a decision like the rest of us.

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