Spacecraft Issues Delay Return of Astronauts to Earth

NASA extends further the assignment of astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams, extending their time on the ISS into late March or April.

NASA communicated that astronaut Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams are still living at the International Space Station (ISS) and are left waiting for their return journey back to Earth. Their original flight back was in June, but this has been pushed into February 2025, as Boeing's Starliner spacecraft has experienced some technical difficulties.

Then, with some more delays getting that new capsule to the ISS, it will be late March, "more likely" April, for the astronauts' return, NASA said. No, all will be okay with their safety, according to NASA: The ISS has been well stocked with supplies to survive beyond that time. Unlike space missions, most missions last approximately six months.

The delay will only increase their time in space by a couple of months because Wilmore and Williams have already been there for some time. This is what Dr. Simeon Barber said at Open University, commenting that "Space station missions tend to have long durations, so the astronauts probably enjoy their time up there."