Sunita Williams Set to Return to Earth in February 2025 Amid Starliner Technical Issues

NASA’s Indian-origin astronaut Sunita Williams, along with fellow astronaut Barry Wilmore, is currently aboard the International Space Station (ISS) after traveling there on a Boeing Starliner spacecraft. The mission, initially planned as an eight-day journey, has been extended due to technical difficulties, including a helium leak and a thruster malfunction.

NASA recently announced that the return of Williams and Wilmore to Earth is now expected to occur in February 2025. This delay marks a significant challenge for Boeing’s first mission with the Starliner. NASA’s Commercial Crew Program Manager, Steve Stich, emphasized that the safe return of the astronauts is the top priority.

To facilitate their return, NASA is exploring options, including the possibility of using SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft. SpaceX, led by Elon Musk, is coordinating with NASA, and a Crew-9 mission launch is anticipated in September. This mission could potentially bring the astronauts back to Earth, depending on whether NASA decides to use the Starliner or Crew Dragon for the return journey.