Problems with the "Starliner" probe/ The return of two astronauts to earth may be delayed until 2025

2024-08-13 19:58:00, Tech CNA

Problems with the "Starliner" probe/ The return of two astronauts to

NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore. Source, AP

The eight-day trip of two American astronauts could turn into an eight-month stay on the International Space Station. Technical problems with Boeing's Starliner probe have extended their stay in space and they may not return to Earth until February 2025.

American astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams planned to stay on the International Space Station for several days. But technical problems with the Starliner probe may force them to spend Christmas and New Year in space.

The two American astronauts were making a test flight with the new Starliner probe to see how it would perform before its more regular use to send astronauts and supplies into space.

However, problems became apparent when the probe docked at the International Space Station, suffering a leak in the system that enables it to move.

The astronauts arrived at the International Space Station safely, but issues over the probe's safety for the return trip to Earth have prolonged their stay in space.

There are currently seven people on the International Space Station, and two of the American astronauts did not plan to stay there for so long.

A recent SpaceX probe delivered more food and clothes to astronauts Wilmore and Williams to make their stay in space more comfortable.

Astronaut Helen Sharman, who in May 1991 became the first woman to visit the Russian Space Station Mir, understands well the challenges of being in space.

"Sleep may be more challenging for astronauts Butch and Suni because there are only six sleepers on board the space station. So one of the seven crew members is left without a sleeper, and that could affect all members of the crew. crew. But to be honest the presence of two more people on board the space station is a good thing, it creates more opportunities for conversations about what they have recently experienced on Earth," she says.

NASA says it is considering alternatives for returning the two astronauts to Earth.

One of those being considered is their return on a Space X probe, which is expected to launch into space in September 2024 and is scheduled to return to Earth in February 2025.

If this plan is approved, then astronauts Butch and Suni's eight-day trip would turn into an eight-month stay in space.

It is thought that then the return of the probe "Starliner" to Earth can be done with the help of computer systems.

"The systems that enable the probe to move must work precisely to achieve the correct trajectory for its return to Earth. A few weeks ago NASA and Boeing Company engineers were thought to have understood the main problem, but it seems that they still do not fully clear," says Dr. Simeon Barber, a space scientist at the Open University.

NASA officials are not expected to make a final decision on the matter for at least another week.

The Boeing Company hoped that a successful space mission with the "Starliner" probe would pave the way for other trips to the International Space Station with humans on board.

The "Dragon" probe of the Space X company has received NASA's approval for sending astronauts into space in 2020./ VOA