ASHLAND, Nebraska (KMTV — It was planned to be a week-long mission for two NASA astronauts. Due to problems with the spacecraft, they could now spend months in space. KMTV spoke with former astronaut and Ashland native Clayton Anderson, who said situations like this are unusual.

June 5th was a groundbreaking launch. A test flight for Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft brought astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore to the International Space Station. But problems with Starliner arose shortly thereafter.

The spacecraft is having problems with its engines and helium tanks, which are necessary to put the return capsule on a trajectory to Earth.

“Our chances of an unmanned return of the Starliner have increased a little bit given how things have unfolded over the last week or two,” said Ken Bowersox, NASA’s deputy administrator.

Anderson worked for NASA for 30 years and flew into space in 2007 and 2010. He expressed confidence that NASA and Boeing will find a solution.

“Personally, I believe the Starliner is fine. And that it is safe for them to come home. That is Clay’s opinion, nothing else,” Anderson said.

He said that every time astronauts launch on a mission, a certain duration of the mission is expected, but it can never be guaranteed.

“They get it. They get it. They probably want to go home and see their families. But they also love being in space. There isn’t an astronaut alive who doesn’t love being in space,” he said.

In a statement, Boeing said:
“The crewed flight test is currently a crewed mission, and we continue to believe in the capabilities and flightworthiness of the Starliner. Should NASA decide to change the mission, we will take the necessary steps to configure the Starliner for an uncrewed return.”

“Failure is not an option. That’s why we’re staying here now,” astronaut Butch Wilmore said in a crew press conference on July 10.

NASA has not yet made a decision regarding the return of the Starliner.

One possible scenario is that Williams and Wilmore could return home on a SpaceX capsule scheduled to launch next month, but that means they won’t be able to return until February 2025.

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