News
Astronauts Could Face Extended Stay in Space, NASA Says
NASA officials have revealed that astronauts currently aboard the International Space Station (ISS) could face an extended stay of up to eight months if their return vehicle, Boeing’s Starliner, remains unavailable. The astronauts may have to wait for an alternative flight on SpaceX’s Crew Dragon if Starliner is not ready.
Joe Acaba, NASA’s chief astronaut, emphasized that astronauts like Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore are trained for such scenarios. “They embark on missions fully aware of the various outcomes,” Acaba said, acknowledging the inherent risks of human spaceflight.
Russ DeLoach, NASA’s chief of the Office of Safety and Mission Assurance, explained that if NASA decides to change the mission, the astronauts would still return to Earth safely, albeit on a different spacecraft. He added that such a change wouldn’t necessarily be classified as a major mishap.
The decision on when to bring the astronauts back was initially expected in mid-August, but NASA has now delayed it to the last week of the month. Officials, however, noted that there is “no sharp cut-off” for making the call.
The possibility of using SpaceX’s Crew Dragon for the return poses additional challenges. The spacesuits the astronauts wore for the journey to the ISS on Starliner are not suitable for the Crew Dragon, meaning they would return “unsuited,” which could expose them to extra risks during re-entry.
Moreover, an extended stay on the ISS could increase the astronauts’ exposure to space radiation, adding another layer of complexity to the situation. NASA officials are working closely with Boeing to address the technical issues with Starliner and continue to evaluate the risks involved.
Despite the challenges, Steve Bowersox, NASA’s deputy associate administrator, expressed confidence in Boeing’s commitment to resolving the issues. “We’ve had very honest discussions…and the Boeing team is 100% behind their vehicle,” he stated.
As NASA navigates these uncertainties, the safety and well-being of the astronauts remain the top priority, with officials balancing the risks of various contingency plans.
In a devastating incident in eastern India, at least 46 people, including 37 children and seven women, have drowned while celebrating the Hindu Jivitputrika festival. The fatalities, which occurred across 15 districts within the past 24 hours, resulted from victims ritually bathing in rivers and ponds swollen by recent flooding.
The three-day festival, which honors children’s wellbeing, is traditionally marked by mothers fasting and families participating in ritual baths. This year, the swollen water bodies, exacerbated by recent floods, have turned the celebratory ritual into a deadly disaster.
Local disaster management officials have expressed fears that the death toll could rise further. State authorities have promised compensation for the families and relatives of the victims.
Fatal accidents during religious festivals are not uncommon in India, where large gatherings often take place with insufficient safety measures. This tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by such gatherings, especially during adverse weather conditions.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have conducted airstrikes in Beirut, reportedly killing Mohammad Hussein Surur, a senior Hezbollah air unit leader. The Lebanese health ministry confirmed two deaths and 15 injuries from the attack. The strikes come amid escalating violence between Israel and Hezbollah, with both sides exchanging fire throughout the night and into the morning.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the IDF would continue to fight “with full force” against Hezbollah, aiming to dismantle the Iran-backed militant group. This marks a significant intensification of hostilities between the two sides, which have been exchanging rockets and airstrikes for days. The Lebanese health ministry also reported that 28 people were killed today by Israeli airstrikes.
In retaliation, Hezbollah launched 80 missiles targeting northern Israeli cities, including Safed. Israeli authorities have reported no casualties but noted significant property damage in Safed and Rosh Pina.
Amid the intensifying conflict, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin renewed calls for a diplomatic solution. The U.S., along with 11 other allied nations, has urged both Israel and Hezbollah to agree to a ceasefire to prevent further escalation and civilian casualties.
Ferry travel between the Isle of Man and Lancashire continues to face disruption due to strong winds over the Irish Sea. The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company has cancelled Thursday’s 08:45 BST sailing of the Manxman to Heysham and its scheduled 14:15 return journey. This follows the cancellation of the vessel’s return trip from the Lancashire port on Wednesday evening.
The disruptions have affected postal services, with the Isle of Man Post Office reporting delays in deliveries from the UK. While local deliveries within the island remain unaffected, items posted on Wednesday for UK delivery may not reach Royal Mail’s network in time for Friday delivery.
Additionally, the ferry cancellations have caused a delay in newspaper deliveries, with no papers available on the island on Thursday, as confirmed by the island’s wholesale distributor.
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