Sunita Williams, the renowned Indian-origin NASA astronaut, is currently facing delays in her return from the International Space Station (ISS) due to technical issues with the Boeing Starliner spacecraft.
Williams and her colleague, Barry "Butch" Wilmore, encountered multiple challenges upon docking with the ISS on June 6.
These included helium leaks at five points, failures in critical thrusters, and issues with the propellant valve.
NASA and Boeing are actively working to resolve these problems, with four thrusters now repaired and functioning.
The Starliner, on a Crew Flight Test (CFT) mission to assess its readiness for manned flights, has a maximum stay capability of 45 days at the ISS, allowing time until July 22 for repairs.
Options for returning Williams and Wilmore include SpaceX's Crew Dragon or Russia's Soyuz spacecraft if the issues persist.
Meanwhile, aboard the ISS, Williams continues to contribute to research and experiments alongside seven other crew members.
NASA plans to prioritize their safety before scheduling a return date.
