Two NASA astronauts, Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore, are set to spend almost a year in space after their Boeing Starliner capsule developed critical issues during their mission to the International Space Station.
In June, the duo embarked on a round-trip journey to the space station, expected to last just over a week. However, helium leaks in the propulsion system and degraded thrusters led to the postponement of their re-entry back to Earth.
Williams and Wilmore, who have extensive military and NASA backgrounds, will remain on board until late March when SpaceX’s new crew arrives at the space station. The new crew will be able to provide a safe passage for Williams and Wilmore to return home.
The astronauts had set a record in their previous space missions, with Williams logging over 3,000 flight hours and performing four spacewalks, while Wilmore recorded over 8,000 flight hours and flew combat missions during Operation Desert Storm.
Source: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/why-are-astronauts-stuck-in-space-boeing-starliner