Sunita Williams Faces Risk of Extended Space Stay Amid Boeing Starliner Issues
News Mania Desk/Agnibeena Ghosh/22th August 2024
Astronaut Sunita Williams and her colleague Butch Wilmore may face an extended stay in space due to complications with their spacecraft, Boeing’s Starliner. NASA is actively working on strategies to ensure their safe return, but several significant risks need to be managed, according to Rudy Ridolfi, a former commander of US military space systems.
The astronauts’ return was originally scheduled to occur within eight days, but technical difficulties with the Starliner have pushed this timeline by over two months. Ridolfi highlighted a concerning scenario where the spacecraft could be stranded in space with only 96 hours of oxygen left if it encounters issues with its thrusters. He explained that if the Starliner attempts to re-enter Earth’s atmosphere at an incorrect angle, it might bounce off and remain in orbit, posing a serious risk.
Ridolfi outlined additional potential dangers for the astronauts. One risk involves the spacecraft’s potential failure to properly align during re-entry. If the Starliner fails to align correctly, it could become trapped in space indefinitely. Another grave concern is the possible failure of the spacecraft’s heat shield. If the Starliner re-enters at a steep angle, the intense friction and heat could cause the heat shield to fail, leading to the spacecraft burning up before it reaches the Earth’s surface, endangering the lives of both astronauts.
Adding to the complexity of the situation, Williams, who is 58 years old, is experiencing vision problems in space due to prolonged exposure to microgravity. This condition, known as Spaceflight Associated Neuro-ocular Syndrome (SANS), affects fluid distribution in the body and can lead to blurred vision and alterations in eye structure.
In response to these issues, NASA is exploring alternative solutions, including the possibility of using SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft for the astronauts’ return. Scheduled for a September 2024 departure, the Crew Dragon could potentially offer a safe return option. However, NASA faces the challenge of ensuring compatibility between the spacecraft and the astronauts’ spacesuits. To address this, NASA is considering additional flight suits for the Crew-9 Dragon mission to ensure the astronauts’ safety.
As the situation develops, NASA remains committed to resolving these challenges to facilitate a safe return for Williams and Wilmore. The space agency continues to monitor the technical aspects of the Starliner and explore all viable options to ensure the astronauts’ well-being and successful re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere.
