NASA has revealed further complications in the mission to bring stranded astronauts Barry 'Butch' Wilmore and Sunita Williams home from the International Space Station (ISS).
Earlier this year, the two astronauts had set out on what was expected to be a short eight day mission into space onboard the maiden voyage of the new Boeing Starliner capsule.
However the pair would soon run into issues with the Starliner following their 5 June departure from Earth, meaning Wilmore, 61, and Williams, 58, are still waiting to return home after 80 days away from home.
The pair may also have to get used to their new life on the ISS for the time being,
as it could be as late as February 2025 before NASA to bring them back to Earth. Faced with an extended time away from home Wilmore and Williams have wasted no time in integrating themselves into daily ISS life, however, NASA's may throw up more obstacles regarding their return.
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During a press conference held earlier this month, the space agency explained that the spacesuits which Wilmore and Williams had been wearing during their journey on the Boeing Starliner were incompatible with other aircraft.
Why don't the astronauts have the correct spacesuits?
According to an explainer article from Inverse, astronauts require different spacesuits when carrying different parts of their mission.
Suits used for travelling to and from Earth are often called intravehicular spacesuits to give them an extra layer of protection from any hazards during lift off and re-entry.
The suits are also tailor made for the specific aircraft astronauts are on - so in the case of Wilmore and Williams, their suits would work onboard the Starliner.
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How will Wilmore and Williams return home?
NASA are currently looking at various options to bring the two astronauts home from space.
Wilmore and Williams could return home onboard the Starliner, however, if this is deemed unsafe then they will be brought home onboard a SpaceX vehicle.
There is currently a SpaceX Crew-9 mission, which is set to launch on 24 September, 2024 and will have two space seats and spacesuits for the astronauts.
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A final contingency plan is to fly their pair home on the already airborne Crew-8 mission, however, this would mean Wilmore and Williams would have to make the trip back without spacesuits.
NASA are yet to confirm their plans for bringing the two astronauts home, but the New York Times and Space.com are both currently reporting that a decision about their future will be announced later today (24 August) in a news conference.
Brenna Cooper