Unexpected NASA Starliner Failure Further Delays Sunita Williams’ Mission

Beginning her long career in space, Sunita Williams, a NASA astronaut, took off along with her crewmate, Barry Butch Wilmore, on an ambitious journey aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft in June 2024. What originally was expected to be a short stay, however, ballooned into an extended, unplanned nine-month mission due to unexpected technical failures. Originally, they were to return to Earth. Weeks later, the astronauts are still stuck as engineers on the ground rush to fix a series of critical issues with the spacecraft.

Space Shuttle’s Failure

The Boe-CFT missions had just this single, primary reason, to show the Starliner could deliver astronauts to and back from the ISS in a safe manner. Launched on June 5, 2024, the spacecraft successfully docked with the ISS on June 6. However, a failure of the Reaction Control System (RCS) thrusters was found during the docking process by NASA. The thrusters themselves control the attitude and attitude changes of the space vehicle, and if that didn’t happen, it put NASA and Boeing engineers in a quite serious dilemma: Will Starliner be able to bring the astronauts back home safely? Even after months of investigation, there was still no consensus on a problem. Therefore, NASA made the hard decision that Starliner would have to return uncrewed, and the astronauts would have to find another way back.

Nine Months in Space

The extended stay of Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore aboard the ISS has truly stretched the envelope of all human endurance during microgravity. Health problems range from muscle atrophy, bone density loss, or even possible vision impairment as a consequence of prolonged exposure to space. However, in spite of these difficulties, the astronauts were still able to continue on with scientific research, perform maintenance, and stick to a precise exercise routine in order to stay fit. Their persevering nature and professionalism have become evident, but there is an immense urgency for their return home.

Space X Enters

With Starliner grounded, NASA turned to SpaceX’s Crew-10 mission to facilitate the astronauts’ safe return. Crew-10’s mission plan includes sending a fresh crew to the ISS while providing Williams and Wilmore with a ride home aboard the Crew Dragon spacecraft.

However, just when it seemed like a solution was in place, another setback occurred. On March 12, 2025, the Crew-10 launch was abruptly postponed due to a hydraulic issue with the rocket’s clamp arm. Engineers are working to fix the problem, with the next launch attempt scheduled no earlier than March 14, 2025. This unexpected delay has once again left the astronauts in limbo, waiting for the final green light to return home.

Space Problems - Again

Boeing’s Starliner program has faced repeated delays, budget overruns, and technical failures, making it a problematic venture for NASA. A recent report highlighted how Boeing, among other NASA contractors, has contributed to billions in cost overruns.

In contrast, SpaceX’s Crew Dragon has successfully carried astronauts to the ISS since 2020, proving to be a more reliable option. The Starliner failure raises questions about Boeing’s ability to compete in the commercial space industry and whether NASA should continue investing in the troubled program.

Are the Astronauts Stranded?

The success of SpaceX’s Crew-10 mission will surely be followed not only by intense media scrutiny but also by its critical importance. Williams and Wilmore should, during the few days following the Crew-10 launch, be brought back from the ISS. Of course, should any more delays occur before those wheels could hit, these astronauts would still have to wait longer and bring their mission well past nine months, which was extended already. But in between those hiccups is testament enough to the indomitable spirit of the astronaut and the vagaries of space flight.

Every mission, whether successful or not, is propelling space exploration further, further defining space scientists and engineers for their future probes to the Moon and Mars- and beyond. For now, the world is waiting for the incredibly long-promised return of Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore with the hope that their way home will be safely and triumphantly, before too long, capped with twists and turns.

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