NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams will have to wait longer to return home from their current stay on the International Space Station. Initially due back in just over a week, their extension was initially caused by technical issues with the experimental Starliner spacecraft built by Boeing.
However, following a delay in launching a new capsule to the ISS, their departure has been pushed to late March or possibly April. NASA assures that this delay poses no risk to the astronauts and notes that the station is well-stocked with supplies, including food and oxygen, after two recent resupply flights in November.
According to Dr. Simeon Barber from the Open University, the extension for Wilmore and Williams will not be a significant issue, as most space station missions last around six months. The space agency has now decided to wait for the new Dragon capsule from SpaceX, which is scheduled for flight readiness no earlier than late March.
NASA’s next crew mission was initially set for February 2025 but has been delayed by over a month due to the same issues with SpaceX’s preparations.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c30nze6e4geo