Astronauts stuck in space after thruster issues

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – Astronauts Barry “Butch” Wilmore and Suni Williams will remain in space, at least until the end of July or early August, NASA’s Commercial Crew Project Manager said, on Wednesday.

Engineers are troubleshooting thruster troubles and helium leaks on the Boeing Starliner spacecraft.

“I will reiterate this is a test flight, so we were expecting to find some things,” Williams said in a press conference from the International Space Station. “I have a feeling, I have a real good feeling in my heart that this spacecraft will bring us home no problem.”

Stich said the Starliner is cleared for return to Earth in case of an emergency. NASA and Boeing said they want to keep the capsule attached to the space station while they continue to test the thrusters.

The thrusters are attached to the service module, which will burn up over the Pacific Ocean on re-entry, according to Boeing’s website.

“If we lose the SM, then we wouldn’t be able to go through all of this testing and understand about our spacecraft,” Williams said.

Both Williams and Wilmore said they don’t mind spending an extra few weeks at the space station.

“This is a tough business that we’re in,” Wilmore said. “Human spaceflight is not easy.”

Boeing is one of two companies awarded NASA contracts to take people to space. SpaceX is the other. NASA awarded Boeing a $4.2 billion contract, according to the commercial crew program contract.

“Try and stick to the schedule but don’t risk people’s lives,” said Rep. Tom Cole (R-Okla.), the Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee.

The mission was supposed to last eight days. Wilmore and Williams were scheduled to return to Earth on June 14.

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