Astronauts stuck in space waiting for Boeing

Two Starliner astronauts remain aboard the International Space StationThis is after the postponement of the return flight to Earth scheduled for today (6/26).

The ship’s return to Earth as broadcast by the channel BBChad already been delayed due to mechanical failures in some thrusters and helium leaks.

Meanwhile, NASA engineers are examining technical issues before the space agency decides when its astronauts will return to Earth.

Starliner – Boeing’s spacecraft – launched into space on June 5 Although a small helium leak was observed.

Initially, the flight was scheduled to last 8 days, but it has not yet returned to Earth.

The helium leak aboard Boeing’s spacecraft was so small, engineers thought it would not affect the mission.

However, during the mission, There were four other helium leaks and failures In five of the 28 thrusters, four were restarted.

Then on June 18, NASA announced it The Starliner ship will begin its return journey on Wednesday, June 26 (03:00 Thursday, June 27, Greek time). NASA had stated in its publication that the leaks do not pose a threat to the safety of astronauts.

“It only takes seven flight hours to complete the mission, and the Starliner currently has enough helium in its tanks to support 70 flight hours.”

But just a few days later, NASA concluded that the planned return had to be postponed, without providing further information about what led to this decision.