Gerrard Kaonga
Two NASA astronauts face a race against time as they are currently stuck in space after multiple malfunctions.
Of all the places you don't want to end up stranded... Space certainly is one of them.
Unfortunately, that is a reality NASA astronauts Barry Wilmore and Suni Williams now face.
Advert
Earlier this month on June 5, the pair set off for the International Space Station with the goal with returning not long after.
But since the launch and docking, the duo have faced a barrage of malfunctions and concerns, when in reality, you really want travel to go without a hitch when it comes to space.
The Boeing's Starliner capsule the pair have been has experienced five helium leaks, five maneuvering thrusters go dead and a propellant valve fail to close completely, prompting the crew in space and mission managers in Houston to spend more time than expected pursuing fixes mid-mission.
NASA's commercial crew manager Steve Stich has spoken to reporters about the situation and said the Starliner can be docked at the ISS for up to 45 days.
If necessary, this can be extended to about 72 days, if it could rely on various backup systems.
According to a Reuter report, a person familiar with the situation spoke to the publication and said NASA hopes to have a return date of July 6, but has not committed to this date publicly. This would ultimately mean a mission that was meant to last for 8 days lasted just over a month.
Starliner's expendable propulsion system is part of the craft's 'service module'. The current problems center on this system, which is needed to back the capsule away from the ISS and position it to dive through Earth's atmosphere.
Many of Starliner's thrusters have overheated when fired, and the leaks of helium - used to pressurize the thrusters - appear to be connected to how frequently they are used, according to Stich.
Despite the slew of problems, the teams remain confident that the two astronauts can be returned to Earth safely.
NASA is even considering use the Starliner despite the propulsion issues as it can be used as an escape pod in emergency situations.
If the Starliner proves to be completely unusable in returning the astronauts, one option being considered would be to send them home aboard Crew Dragon, which ferried four astronauts to the station in March and is able to fit more people in an emergency.
UNILAD has contacted NASA for comment.