NASA confirms that astronauts transported by Boeing to the International Space Station are “not stuck” there

The two astronauts who arrived at the International Space Station three weeks ago aboard Boeing's new Starliner spacecraft are not there. “Forbidden”NASA argued on Friday that even if the capsule's return date is delayed, it now depends on the analysis of new tests. These tests relate in particular to problems encountered during the flight of the capsule's thrusters as it approached the International Space Station (ISS) for docking there.

Ground tests will be conducted on similar thrusters to recreate the space environment and better understand the cause of the problem. These tests are expected to last about two weeks, and no return date has been set until then. “Butch and Sonny aren't stuck in space.”“The return of the vehicle is not a good thing,” NASA’s top official Steve Stich confirmed during an unusually tense press conference. “Press”he added.

“The crew is not in danger.”

Astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sonny Williams were initially scheduled to spend just over a week in the flight laboratory. This prompted the American press to wonder whether the astronauts currently found themselves without a way to return. They are not “They are not stuck on the International Space Station, the crew is not in danger.”He also criticized Mark Nappi, a senior director at Boeing. “It's very painful to read the things that are being circulated. We've had a very good test flight so far, and it's being viewed in a rather negative way.He complained.

“We can bring the Starliner in at any time.”He insisted. But “We don't understand[the issues encountered, editor's note]well enough to fix them permanently, so the only way to do that is to take the time.” And “collect more data”. In addition to the propulsion devices, there is another anomaly affecting the Starliner, a new vehicle ordered by NASA 10 years ago to serve as a space taxi that will transport astronauts to the International Space Station.

NASA and Boeing are still investigating the cause of the helium leak detected during the flight. Helium is non-flammable but is used in the propulsion system. However, the spacecraft still has enough helium to return, according to the space agency. The mission, which Boeing completed years behind schedule, is the first crewed Starliner, which is necessary for the capsule to receive NASA certification and then be able to begin regular operations. In the meantime, NASA astronauts have already been on the International Space Station for four years, thanks to SpaceX ships.