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Nasa astronauts stuck on ISS confident Boeing space capsule will bring them home

  • Starliner thruster issues and helium leaks have kept two Americans in space far longer than planned

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The Starliner spacecraft docked to the Harmony module of the International Space Station. Photo: Nasa via AP

A pair of US astronauts stuck waiting to leave the International Space Station said they were confident that the problem-plagued Boeing Starliner they rode up on would soon bring them home, even as significant uncertainties remain.

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Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams blasted off on June 5 aboard the brand new spaceship that Nasa is hoping to certify to ferry crews to-and-from the orbital outpost.

They docked the following day for what was meant to be roughly a week-long stay, but their return was pushed back because of thruster malfunctions and helium leaks that came to light during the journey.

No date has been set for the return, but Nasa officials said on Wednesday they were eying “late July”.

Astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams. Photo: Nasa
Astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams. Photo: Nasa

Asked during a live press call from the station whether they still had faith in the Starliner team and the spaceship, mission commander Wilmore replied: “We’re absolutely confident”.

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