NASA is exploring several contingency options, including keeping Wilmore and Williams on the orbiting lab for another six months and bringing them home on a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft in 2025, the federal agency confirmed during a news conference Wednesday.
NASA astronauts have completed 63 days in space on a mission that was initially expected to last a week.
According to reports, the analysis continues to understand the problems Starliner encountered on its way to the International Space Station (ISS) and they are working to reach an agreement on how to develop the rest of the mission that launched on June 5.
The Boeing Starliner spacecraft was intended to carry NASA passengers on a round trip to the International Space Station to prove that the capsule — also long-awaited and over budget — was up to the task, they reported in the second local media.
However, problems with helium and fuel leaks and an isolation valve, among others, delayed the return.
With this shipment, Boeing wants to obtain certifications to act as a second provider of cargo and crew to the International Space Station, as SpaceX has already done after the two private companies signed $1 billion contracts with the federal agency.
Officials say Wilmore and Williams are fine and are currently dealing with the “unplanned” aspect of the mission.
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