The Boeing Starliner astronauts stuck at the International Space Station are going to have to wait there for a little longer...
Astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita 'Suni' Williams arrived at the ISS in June on the Boeing Starliner, with an initial mission duration expected to last approximately eight to 10 days.
However, the spacecraft encountered multiple issues, including propulsion system failures, leading NASA to extend their stay on the station.
As a result, the capsule was sent back to Earth empty in September while the astronauts remained on the ISS.
In September, a SpaceX Crew-9 Dragon capsule launched to the ISS with a reduced crew of two and two empty seats, intended to bring Wilmore and Williams back to Earth in February 2025.
However, NASA announced on Tuesday that the astronauts' replacements, traveling aboard SpaceX's Crew-10 Dragon, are now slated to launch no earlier than late March 2025.
This means Wilmore and Williams' return will be delayed until then at the earliest, per CBS News.
NASA explained the delay was due to additional time needed for NASA and SpaceX teams to complete final processing of a new Dragon spacecraft for the mission.
The Crew-9 capsule, which currently carries Williams, Wilmore, fellow NASA astronaut Nick Hague, and cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, cannot return to Earth until the "handover period" with Crew-10 is complete.
This transition period is essential for Crew-9 to share any lessons learned and ensure a smooth handover for ongoing research and maintenance at the station.
While NASA did not offer a specific timeline for the handover process, it emphasized that the delay is a necessary step for the continued success of the mission.
If Wilmore and Williams return in late March or April 2025, their mission will have been extended to nearly nine months, far beyond the original week-long duration.
"Fabrication, assembly, testing, and final integration of a new spacecraft is a painstaking endeavor that requires great attention to detail," Steve Stich, manager of NASA's Commercial Crew Program, said in a statement.
"We appreciate the hard work by the SpaceX team to expand the Dragon fleet in support of our missions and the flexibility of the station program and expedition crews as we work together to complete the new capsule's readiness for flight."
Last month, images of Williams aboard the ISS circulated online, prompting concern among social media users.
Some speculated that the astronaut looked unwell. "Suni Williams' condition doesn't look good," one user tweeted, while another commented: "It looks like those two American astronauts stuck in the ISS are not in good health, especially Suni Williams."
Experts weighed in as well, with Dr. Vinay Gupta telling the Daily Mail: "What you're seeing there in that picture is somebody that I think is experiencing the natural stresses of living at a very high altitude, even in a pressurized cabin, for extended periods."
However, Williams, who has been in space for over six months, was quick to address the rumors.
During a recent appearance on the New England Sports Network Clubhouse Kids Show, she reassured viewers that she is in excellent health.
Williams explained the phenomenon of "fluid shift", which occurs in space and causes bodily fluids to move upwards, giving astronauts the appearance of a puffier face and thinner legs.
"Folks in space, you know, their heads look a little bit bigger because the fluid evens out along the body," she said, explaining her altered appearance in the photos.
Contrary to the concerns, Williams shared that she has actually gained muscle mass during her extended stay in space, particularly in her thighs and glutes, thanks to a rigorous exercise regimen that includes squats.
"My thighs are a little bit bigger, my butt is a little bit bigger," she joked.
