NASA Launches Rescue Mission for Astronauts Stranded in Space After Starliner Malfunction
Two NASA astronauts have been stranded in space since their June mission, unable to return due to a malfunction in Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft. With the astronauts stuck aboard the International Space Station, NASA is gearing up for an urgent rescue mission. Here's everything we know about the situation so far!
In recent months, NASA astronauts experienced quite an interesting event.
At the beginning of June, NASA successfully launched two of its astronauts into space. This time, the launch used Boeing’s Starliner vehicle, a company usually known for its malfunctions.
The astronauts, who were supposed to return in July, were unable to come back to Earth after the Starliner space vehicle malfunctioned.
There was an issue with the helium thrusters on Boeing's Starliner. As a result, astronauts Williams and Wilmore had to extend their stay in space.
In an announcement made in August, it was determined that the spacecraft was not suitable for a crewed return.
It was stated that the space vehicle would return to Earth alone in September. If you’re wondering where the astronauts are, they’re safe on the International Space Station (ISS).
For the astronauts staying at the ISS to return to Earth, a new spacecraft needs to be sent from Earth.
For this spacecraft, NASA is now relying on SpaceX. SpaceX will launch the Crew-9 astronaut mission for NASA on Saturday, September 28. The Falcon 9 rocket, set to launch at 8:00 PM Turkish Time, will take off from Florida. The mission will include NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Aleksandr Gorbunov, a cosmonaut from the Russian space agency Roscosmos.
The astronauts’ mission will end in February.
In February, five astronauts are expected to return to Earth at once. NASA’s astronauts stranded in space will have their mission duration extended by approximately eight months.
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