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The daring rescue mission to save two NASA astronauts stranded in space

December, 20, 2024-01:57

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The daring rescue mission to save two NASA astronauts stranded in space

 

 

Mission commander Suni Williams and flight engineer Butch Wilmore launched from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on June 5 to conduct a test flight of Boeing's new Star liner capsule. The mission aimed to take Star liner beyond the atmosphere, execute several test maneuvers, and dock with the International Space Station (ISS) for an eight-day mission before returning to Earth in the same capsule. However, the flight encountered significant issues almost immediately, including thruster malfunctions and a helium leak. Although Williams and Wilmore successfully reached the ISS, Star liner arrived with additional helium leaks and five of its 28 thrusters non-functional. After extensive testing, NASA determined it was unsafe for the astronauts to return on Star liner as initially intended. In September, the capsule was sent back to Earth without crew, landing in New Mexico after deploying parachutes to slow its descent. This decision left the Boeing test crew stranded on the ISS until a rescue mission could be arranged. In a significant setback for Boeing, NASA turned to its competitor, SpaceX, led by Elon Musk, to facilitate the rescue.