Sunita Williams’ Return to Earth Will Be Delayed, NASA Announces New Date

NASA has announced a delay in the return of Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft from the International Space Station (ISS). It means astronaut Sunita Williams’s return home will be delayed again. As per the new plans of NASA, the Starliner will return to Earth on June 26. The decision was taken as NASA and Boeing continue to investigate issues encountered during the spacecraft’s debut crewed mission.

Starliner, carrying NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, was launched on June 5 and it successfully docked with the ISS on June 6. However, the spacecraft experienced four helium leaks and five failures of its 28 maneuvering thrusters during the 24-hour space flight.

Steve Stich, Nasa’s commercial crew program manager, stated during a news conference that the additional time would allow the team to thoroughly analyze the data and ensure readiness for the spacecraft’s safe return to Earth.