NASA Astronauts Stranded on ISS Indefinitely

NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore have found themselves unexpectedly stuck at the International Space Station (ISS) for a lot longer than planned. Initially, the duo docked there on June 5 during the Boeing Starliner’s first test mission with the intention of staying just eight days. However, a serious issue with the capsule’s thrusters has left them docked for over two months now.

As concerns about how and when they can return to Earth grow, a former US military Space System Commander, Rudy Ridolfi, has shared some alarming possibilities. If they attempt to come back in the malfunctioning spacecraft, their safety could be at risk due to the capsule’s alignment during reentry.

Ridolfi explained in a recent interview that the Boeing Starliner’s service module needs to position the capsule just right for a safe descent. If it’s even slightly off, things might go very wrong. A bad angle could mean the capsule either burns up during reentry or gets flung back into space.

Three scenarios were outlined by Ridolfi. The first is that the Starliner could stay stuck in space due to the thruster malfunction. This would limit the astronauts’ oxygen supply to just 96 hours. The second scenario involves the capsule failing to reenter the atmosphere properly because of a misalignment, leaving them stranded in space.

The worst-case situation, according to Ridolfi, is the astronauts being vaporized if the capsule enters the atmosphere at too steep an angle, causing it to burn up due to heating from friction.

Boeing has insisted that the astronauts are not in danger, claiming that there’s no increased risk in the Starliner returning. Nonetheless, NASA is considering whether to bring them back using a SpaceX flight instead. It could be as late as February 2025 before they manage to come home.

Interestingly, while they are in good spirits, the astronauts appear to have sufficient supplies inside the space station. Living on the ISS is quite unique, as it is about as large as an American football field and houses various amenities including sleeping quarters, bathrooms, a gym, and a stunning view bay window.

The ISS is equipped with systems that produce oxygen and recycle water, so they have what they need to survive. They even can request specific items from Mission Control, which recently led to them finally getting their personal clothes sent up after a supply run.