NASA Astronauts Stranded as Boeing Delays Return Mission

Two NASA astronauts, Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore, remain stuck in space after Boeing’s troubled Starliner mission faced new delays.

The astronauts were part of Boeing’s long-overdue mission, which launched in early June 2024 after being postponed several times due to technical issues, including thruster failures and helium leaks. Their mission, initially expected to last just 8 to 10 days, has now stretched to nine months aboard the International Space Station (ISS).

The original plan was for the astronauts to return to Earth aboard Boeing's Starliner capsule. However, due to ongoing technical problems with the spacecraft, NASA decided to keep Williams and Wilmore at the ISS for safety reasons.

The Starliner capsule eventually returned to Earth without its crew in September, but NASA and Boeing were forced to reconsider their options for bringing the astronauts home.

NASA had planned to use a SpaceX craft to facilitate the astronauts' return. The Crew-10 mission was initially scheduled for February 2025, but it has now been delayed to at least late March, adding another setback for Williams and Wilmore.

“NASA’s SpaceX Crew-10 now is targeting no earlier than late March 2025 to launch four crew members to the International Space Station,” NASA said in a press release. This delay means the astronauts will have spent nine months aboard the ISS—far beyond the original mission timeline.

According to NASA, the timeline shift was necessary to allow teams to finish work on a new spacecraft, which is critical for the upcoming mission. The new spacecraft is expected to arrive at SpaceX’s facility in Florida by early January 2025.

This extra time will allow for crucial “fabrication, assembly, testing, and final integration” of the spacecraft, which requires meticulous attention to detail, according to Steve Stich, manager of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program.

“Fabrication, assembly, testing, and final integration of a new spacecraft is a painstaking endeavor that requires great attention to detail,” Stich said in a statement. His remarks highlighted the complexity and precision needed to ensure the spacecraft’s safety and functionality, especially after Boeing's earlier technical failures.

Boeing’s Starliner program has faced repeated delays and technical hurdles since its inception. Originally envisioned as a competitor to SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft, the Starliner was supposed to provide NASA with an additional option for transporting astronauts to and from the ISS.

However, the project has been plagued by software glitches, mechanical malfunctions, and other setbacks, drawing criticism over Boeing's ability to meet NASA’s stringent safety requirements.

For astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore, the prolonged stay on the ISS comes with physical and psychological challenges. While astronauts undergo extensive training for long-term missions, being stuck in space for nearly a year—far longer than planned—can have effects on both their mental well-being and physical health.

Extended time in microgravity is known to cause muscle atrophy, bone density loss, and changes in vision due to fluid shifts in the body.

NASA’s decision to delay their return, however, is driven by safety considerations. The space agency is prioritizing the thorough inspection and preparation of the spacecraft, ensuring it is 100% safe for human transport.

While Crew Dragon, SpaceX’s reliable crew transport system, has had far fewer issues than Boeing’s Starliner, NASA is taking no chances given the complexity of spaceflight and the high stakes involved in returning astronauts to Earth.

The delay is also a reminder of the broader challenges faced by the Commercial Crew Program, which aims to increase competition and redundancy in the U.S. spaceflight industry. While SpaceX has delivered consistent results, Boeing’s struggles highlight the inherent risks and difficulties of human spaceflight.

For now, Williams and Wilmore will remain on the ISS as NASA and SpaceX work to ensure their safe return. With a new spacecraft set to arrive in Florida by early January 2025, there is hope that this extended mission will finally come to a safe conclusion by March.

Until then, the astronauts will continue their research and maintenance duties aboard the space station, patiently waiting for their long-overdue journey back to Earth.