Two NASA Astronauts Have Been Stuck In Space For Over 50 Days

Two NASA Astronauts Are Stranded In Space For More Than 50 Days

Two NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, have reportedly been stuck in space for 52 days. The two took off into space aboard the Boeing Starliner capsule on June 5.

Butch and Suni were scheduled to spend no more than week in orbit on the International Space Station, but unfortunately, things took a dramatic turn.

Boeing’s Starliner reportedly had helium leaks and thruster failures during its inaugural trip to the ISS. The battery aboard the craft is rated to last 90 days and it appears engineers have limited time to diagnose the problem and repair the Starliner, if the astronauts are to ride it home.

During the astronauts first news conference from Orbit on Wednesday, Suni said, “I a real good feeling in my heart that the spacecraft will bring us home, no problem.”

Astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore give a news conference aboard the International Space Station on Wednesday, July 10. / AP

Butch added saying, “We’re absolutely confident” he and his colleague will return safely after thruster testing is completed on Earth.

The good news is they are with other astronauts aboard the ISS. Per adventure the Starliner isn’t fixed then they may have to turn to SpaceX Dragon Capsule to get them back down to earth, which wouldn’t be a good look Boeing.

According to the New York Post, Williams and Wilmore were the first people to ride in the Starliner when they took off in early June, but the problems have ensured they won’t be home any earlier than late July.

The two said they’ve enjoyed the extra time in orbit and helping the station crew made up of seven other astronauts.

In Williams words, “I’ll just reiterate again this is a test flight, we were expecting to find some things and so we are finding stuff and we’re correcting it and making changes, making updates.”