The 21st-century space progress is truly astonishing – everything is developing at such a rocket speed that satellite launches and even manned spaceflight no longer surprise anyone. But, of course, even with today’s tech development, things do not always go according to plan. Even now, two astronauts stuck in space, or more specifically, on the ISS, are awaiting their return to Earth. The mission that was supposed to last a couple of days turned into an extended eight-month stay – and that’s not the first time such a delay has happened!
So, let’s start with today’s case of the ISS delay before we move on to a more general explanation of why the astronaut is stuck in space.
Astronauts stuck in space 2024
NASA astronauts Barry Wilmore and Sunita Williams were conducting Boeing’s first Crew Flight Test (CFT) of the Starliner spacecraft in June 2024. Their demonstration mission had begun smoothly enough: the Starliner successfully docked, the crew performed initial flight tests, and everyone anticipated a timely return.
However, shortly after arrival, ground teams at Boeing and NASA identified a series of minor but critical technical issues—ranging from faulty sensor readings in the spacecraft’s environmental control systems to concerns over a docking latch that failed a routine inspection. Even though none of these issues posed an immediate safety risk, mission managers opted to delay the Starliner’s return until comprehensive fixes could be tested and implemented.
The primary reason astronauts are stuck in space right now is safety measures that have grown very stringent since the early days of cosmic exploration. The ISS program prioritises safety and mission success above all else. Boeing’s Starliner, on its first crewed outing, is under intense scrutiny. Every system has to operate flawlessly before a spacecraft is cleared for the high-stakes journey back through Earth’s atmosphere.
In August 2024, NASA decided not to return astronauts stuck in space on the Boeing spacecraft. Instead, they will return with SpaceX in February 2025 – the earliest date the company’s mission schedule allows it. But even to do this, SpaceX had to make some schedule rearrangements – two out of four astronauts originally intended for this mission will be stuck on Earth instead so that Barry and Sunita have room for their safe return to Earth.
Do astronauts stuck in space have enough food?
Generally, for today’s astronauts stuck in space food and water are not an issue because the station is regularly resupplied. SpaceX Crew Dragon constantly delivers all necessary supplies to the ISS, including food, water, and scientific equipment. During its late September mission, it also brought two more crew members, Nick Hague and Aleksandr Gorbunov, who will work together with Boeing pilots and return to Earth along with them in February 2025.
What are the challenges of astronauts in space?
Previously, there have been reports of astronauts stuck in space hearing noises, but these noises eventually proved to be the natural hum of the ISS travelling in orbit at great speeds. In any case, neither Wilmore, Williams, nor the rest of the ISS crew are complaining about any unexplained phenomena. As space news resources explain, all the other ISS crew members, do experience a number of challenges common for all astronauts, i.e., risk of radiation exposure, muscle atrophy, bone density loss, and psychological pressures.
On the other hand, today’s technological and medical advances minimise all of these risks, and the biggest challenge the crew had to face was schedule rearrangements, including in current ISS shifts. Looking at the bright side, the ISS has got itself two more experts ahead of schedule, and since mission managers have already re-adjusted daily ISS activities, astronauts stuck in space can now lend the regular crew a hand with station maintenance, scientific experiments, and other routine tasks – which is exactly what they are doing.
Previous delays on the ISS
As already mentioned, Boeing astronauts stuck in space today is not an isolated case. Previous delays have happened multiple times, and yet everyone was safely returned to Earth – even if later than originally scheduled. One of the most recent delays happened in 2023 when NASA astronaut Frank Rubio and two Russian cosmonauts extended their stay after their Soyuz return spacecraft developed a coolant leak. Rubio even set a record for a long-duration mission by a US astronaut, spending 371 days on the station.
In 2020, a mixed NASA-Roscosmos crew also got delayed for six additional months on the ISS. In both of these cases, technical malfunctions were the only reason why astronauts got stuck in space, but there have also been cases of delays due to social and political reasons back on Earth. For example, after the 9/11 attack, the flight security measures were reviewed, and the crew had to stay on the ISS a few days longer than anticipated.
All in all, travel is full of surprises, so why should space travel be an exception? As long as we return everyone safe and sound, most astronauts stuck in space, including Williams and Wilmore, welcome the extra time at the station because such opportunities are exceptionally rare.
Author: Emma Thorpe
