Current:Home > ScamsStill no return date for Starliner as Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams remain in space-DB Wealth Institute B2 Expert Reviews
Still no return date for Starliner as Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams remain in space
View Date:2024-12-23 20:53:02
The Starliner, which launched into space with two astronauts aboard on June 5, does not yet have an official return date, NASA and Boeing said in a press conference on Thursday.
Originally slated for a roughly eight-day mission, the Starliner has now been in space for seven weeks, where it has been docked at the International Space Station (ISS) the majority of the time with veteran NASA astronauts Barry "Butch" Wilmore and Sunita "Suni" Williams.
"We don't have a major announcement today relative to a return date," said NASA Commercial Crew Program Manager Steve Stich. "We're making great progress, but we're just not quite ready to do that."
Starliner's return to Earth has been repeatedly delayed since its initial planned reentry about a week after launch. It was then pushed to no earlier than June 18, then June 22, then June 25, then late July.
Now, Starliner and its crew aren't expected back until August at the earliest.
"Our focus today...is to return Butch and Suni on Starliner," said Stich. "I think we're starting to close in on those final pieces of the fight rationale to make sure we can come home safely and that's our primary focus right now."
Last Starliner update:Starliner astronauts are 'not complaining' about longer stay in space
Issues with Starliner delay return
Boeing and NASA have done continuous testing on the malfunctioning thrusters that caused issues during the trip to ISS. The propulsion system was tested in White Sands, New Mexico to identify the cause of the issues and further analysis of the findings will be done this weekend, said Stich.
He also said that a necessary NASA review won't happen until the first week of August, and any plans to return to Earth would have to take shape after the completion of said review.
Boeing VP regrets calling trip an eight-day mission
At the last Starliner press conference, officials tried to clarify reports that the astronauts were "stranded," "trapped" or "stuck" at the space station.
They said the astronauts, who are at ISS living with the rest of the onboard crew, are "comfortable" and have supplies. Mark Nappi, Vice President and Program Manager of the Commercial Crew Program at Boeing said he wished the team had been clearer in their messaging on how loose the timeline was from the beginning.
"I think the only thing we'd do differently... is we would not have been so empathic about an eight-day mission," said Nappi. "We kept saying 'eight-day minimum mission,' I think we all knew it was going to go longer than that ... it's my regret that we didn't just say 'we're gonna stay up there until we get everything done we want to go do.'"
NASA does have contingency options for returning Butch and Sunni to Earth, Stich said, but right now the focus is on finishing up the tasks necessary to do so on Starliner.
veryGood! (7296)
Related
- What are the best financial advising companies? Help USA TODAY rank the top U.S. firms
- Renewable energy is maligned by misinformation. It's a distraction, experts say
- Everything Happening With the Stephen Smith Homicide Investigation Since the Murdaugh Murders
- Homelessness is aggravating harm caused by the Phoenix heat, medical personnel say
- Republican Rep. Juan Ciscomani wins reelection to Arizona US House seat
- Ecologists say federal wildfire plans are dangerously out of step with climate change
- Science In The City: Cylita Guy Talks Chasing Bats And Tracking Rats
- Kelly Clarkson Seemingly Calls Out Ex Brandon Blackstock in Scathing New Songs
- College football top five gets overhaul as Georgia, Miami both tumble in US LBM Coaches Poll
- India begins to ban single-use plastics including cups and straws
Ranking
- Brian Austin Green’s Fiancée Sharna Burgess Celebrates Megan Fox’s Pregnancy News
- As a heat wave blankets much of the U.S., utilities are managing to keep up, for now
- California and the West broil in record-setting heat wave
- This $13 Pack of Genius Scrunchies on Amazon Can Hide Cash, Lip Balm, Crystals, and So Much More
- Jennifer Hudson, Kylie Minogue and Billy Porter to perform at Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade
- In Oklahoma, former Republican Joy Hofmeister will face Gov. Kevin Stitt in November
- How people, pets and infrastructure can respond to extreme heat
- Researchers can now explain how climate change is affecting your weather
Recommendation
-
3 Iraqis tortured at Abu Ghraib win $42M judgement against defense contractor
-
It's Texas' hottest summer ever. Can the electric grid handle people turning up AC?
-
These Towel Scrunchies With 8,100+ 5-Star Reviews Dry My Long Hair in 30 Minutes Without Creases
-
Climate Change Is Tough On Personal Finances
-
Georgia House Democrats shift toward new leaders after limited election gains
-
Jordan Fisher Recalls His Battle With an Eating Disorder During Wife Ellie's Pregnancy
-
Why Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos’ Kids Have Them Blocked on Social Media
-
Meet the teenager who helped push Florida toward cleaner energy