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What's Really Happening With Elon Musk and Those 'Stranded' Astronauts?


Published on 2025-03-10 17:22:21 - Wired
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  • Two NASA officials have weighed in on the public dispute over when and how to bring home Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, who have been on the International Space Station since June.

The article from WIRED discusses the current situation of astronauts on the International Space Station (ISS) who are facing delays in their return to Earth due to issues with the spacecraft designed to bring them back. Originally, astronauts were to return on the Boeing Starliner, but its first crewed test flight has been repeatedly delayed due to technical problems, including thruster issues and helium leaks. As a backup, NASA has been relying on SpaceX's Crew Dragon, which has proven reliable but is currently not immediately available due to scheduling conflicts and the need for maintenance and preparation for future missions. This has led to an extended stay for the astronauts, with potential reliance on Russian Soyuz capsules as an alternative, highlighting the complexities and risks of space travel logistics. The situation underscores the challenges of transitioning from government-led to commercial spaceflight operations, with both SpaceX and Boeing facing scrutiny over their spacecraft's readiness and reliability.

Read the Full Wired Article at:
[ https://www.wired.com/story/elon-musk-stranded-astronauts-nasa-spacex-boeing/ ]