2025 तक टल सकती है सुनीता की पृथ्वी पर वापसी: स्पेसएक्स के क्रू ड्रैगन से वापस लाया जा सकता है, जून से स्पेस में फंसी हैं

The return of astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, who went to the International Space Station (ISS) on Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft, may be delayed until next year. NASA said – Both astronauts can return to Earth on SpaceX’s Crew Dragon in February 2025 instead of Boeing’s spacecraft.

A decision on whether to use Starliner or Crew Dragon is expected sometime next week. The mission was about 8 days long, but the two astronauts have not yet been able to return to Earth due to problems with the propulsion system on Starliner.

The Starliner mission was launched on June 5 at 8:22 pm. It was launched from ULA’s Atlas V rocket. The spacecraft reached the ISS on June 6 at 11:03 pm. It was supposed to reach at 9:45 pm, but there was a problem in 5 out of 28 reaction control thrusters.

Overheating thrusters cause weakening of thrust
New test data has shown that overheating thrusters are affecting the Teflon seals, restricting propellant flow and weakening thrust. In such a situation, NASA is unable to decide whether to take the risk and choose the safer option of Crew Dragon to bring the crew from Starliner.

If the mission is changed, the Starliner will return with the Brina crew
If NASA decides to change the Starliner’s mission, Boeing will configure the spacecraft to return without a crew. This will be a setback for Boeing, as this is its test mission. Only if it is successful will it get permission from NASA for a crew mission.

$1.6 billion spent on Starliner so far
Boeing has spent $1.6 billion on the development of Starliner since 2016. This includes $125 million spent on the current mission. Boeing has faced many problems in developing Starliner, including management and engineering issues.

Two seats will be left vacant in the Crew Dragon mission
NASA is discussing plans to leave two seats vacant on upcoming Crew Dragon missions to allow Wilmore and Williams to return. SpaceX’s Crew-9 mission is scheduled to launch in September 2024. In this plan, Williams and Wilmore will return with the Crew-9 team in 2025.

Starliner has been docked at the ISS for more than 60 days
The Starliner capsule can be docked to the ISS for a maximum of 90 days. It has been docked for more than 60 days. It is docked at the same port where the Crew Dragon is to be docked in the upcoming mission. NASA has already delayed SpaceX’s Crew-9 mission by more than a month.