BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Brad Klein reviews the week’s astronomical highlights with Bethlehem’s ‘Backyard Astronomy Guy,’ Marty McGuire. This week an update on the International Space Station, which is currently hosting two ‘extra’ American astronauts.
There are nine in the international crew aboard the space station as of Monday, but Americans Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore were only expected to stay a week or so, and so far they’ve spent about two months in space.
That’s because the Boeing Starliner spacecraft that brought them, ran into some technical issues that NASA and Boeing want to fully troubleshoot before returning to Earth.
The problems involve suspected helium leaks and five of the many navigational thrusters that control the spacecraft.
As of now, these two astronauts say they’re enjoying their extra time in orbit.