Two American astronauts 'stuck' in space

TPO - Two NASA astronauts are stuck on the International Space Station (ISS) as their spacecraft - the Boeing Starliner - continues to experience technical problems.

Astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore. Photo: Getty Images

According to the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore arrived at the ISS on June 6, initially planning to stay for only one week.

But recently, NASA and Boeing announced that they will not be able to return to Earth before June 26, and experts are working to repair the spacecraft.

The Boeing CST-100 Starliner experienced a number of mechanical issues during its first launch. On the way to the ISS, the crew reported problems involving five boosters and four helium leaks. Another leak was discovered later.

Before the flight, Boeing also announced that there had been a “small helium leak” on the spacecraft but insisted that it was not a “flight-critical safety issue” and could be addressed.

NASA's Commercial Crew Program Manager Steve Stich explained Tuesday that the reason for the pause in the return flight was because the agency wanted to "give the teams a little more time to look at the data, do some analysis to make sure they're really ready to go home."

Stitch also stressed that NASA is not currently considering a scenario where the two astronauts fail to return to Earth on the Starliner. The return flight is scheduled for June 26, with the planned landing site being White Sands in New Mexico. If that flight fails, the next flight could take place a week later, on July 2.

Despite the delay, NASA said the Boeing CST-100 Starliner crew remains positive and is using this time as an "opportunity" to get more done.

Minh Hanh

According to RT

Source: https://tienphong.vn/hai-phi-hanh-gia-my-mac-ket-trong-khong-gian-post1648106.tpo