Sunita Williams, Butch Wilmore confident Boeing space capsule can safely return them to Earth, despite failures

The much-anticipated return of National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Nasa) astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore has been the subject of widespread curiosity. During a call from the International Space Station (ISS), the astronauts reassured the public of their confidence in a safe journey back to Earth, despite the technical hiccups with their spacecraft.

The duo has been aboard the ISS since June 6, after the Boeing Starliner experienced technical issues that delayed their return. Originally set to stay for just a week, their mission was extended due to thruster malfunctions and helium leaks discovered mid-flight.

For now, Nasa has not set a definitive return date. Officials are eyeing a ‘late July’ return. Steve Stich, Nasa’s commercial crew program manager, optimistically suggested, “Some of the data suggests maybe it’s by the end of July, but we’ll just follow the data each step at a time.”