Only 96 hours’ oxygen left: NASA’s Sunita Williams can end up stuck in space forever; Details here
NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, scheduled to return from the International Space Station (ISS) aboard Boeing's Starliner, are facing significant risks due to potential complications with the spacecraft's re-entry process. Concerns have been raised about the safety of their return journey, which was initially planned for a week after the launch on June 5, 2024. Initially scheduled to return in 8 days, it has been delayed by over 2 months now due to technical issues with the Starliner spacecraft.
Key issues involve the possibility of the spacecraft failing to properly re-enter Earth's atmosphere. If the re-entry angle is too steep, the Starliner could burn up due to a malfunction in its heat shield. On the other hand, if the spacecraft is unable to re-enter at all, the astronauts could be left orbiting the Earth indefinitely, with only 96 hours of oxygen supply remaining.
NASA is now grappling with the difficult decision of whether to proceed with the return using the potentially faulty Starliner or to rely on SpaceX's Crew Dragon for a rescue mission. If SpaceX is called upon, Boeing's inaugural human spaceflight would inadvertently turn into an unscheduled rescue operation, further complicating the situation.
Former U.S. military space systems commander Rudy Ridolfi has highlighted three critical risks associated with the Starliner’s re-entry: poor alignment of the spacecraft's service module, insufficient oxygen supply in case of being stranded, and the potential for vaporization during re-entry due to heat shield failure.
Adding to the urgency, reports indicate that astronaut Sunita Williams may be experiencing health issues, including vision problems, which could further complicate NASA’s decision-making process. As NASA assesses these risks, the situation underscores the high stakes involved in human spaceflight and the critical need for reliable spacecraft systems.
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London, Nov 22: A bomb disposal squad deployed as a “precaution” to the South Terminal of Gatwick Airport concluded an investigation into a "security incident" on Friday after making a “suspect package” safe.
The South Terminal of Gatwick Airport, the UK's second busiest airport after Heathrow, which was briefly shut owing to the incident reopened following the incident.
The Gatwick is around 45 km south of London.
Two people detained during the enquiries have since been allowed to continue their journey as the airport was opened.
“Police have concluded their investigation into a report of a suspect package at Gatwick Airport. Officers from the EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) team made the package safe, and the airport has been handed back to its operator,” Sussex Police said in an updated statement.
“Two people detained while enquiries were ongoing have subsequently been allowed to continue their journeys. There will remain an increased police presence in the area to assist with passengers accessing the South Terminal for onward travel,” the statement added.
Earlier on Friday, the incident caused severe disruption at the busy airport’s South Terminal, while the North Terminal of Gatwick Airport remained unaffected.
“Police were called to the South Terminal at Gatwick Airport at 8.20 am on Friday (November 22) following the discovery of a suspected prohibited item in luggage,” a Sussex Police statement said.
“To ensure the safety of the public, staff and other airport users, a security cordon has been put in place whilst the matter is dealt with. As a precaution, an EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) team is being deployed to the airport. This is causing significant disruption and some roads around the South Terminal have been closed. We’d advise the public to avoid the area where possible,” it said.
Footage on social media taken outside the airport showed crowds of frustrated travellers being moved away from the terminal building.
Gatwick said it was working hard to resolve the issue.
“A large part of the South Terminal has been evacuated as a precaution while we continue to investigate a security incident," the airport said in a social media post.
“Passengers will not be able to enter the South Terminal while this is ongoing. The safety and security of our passengers and staff remain our top priority. We are working hard to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.”
Train and bus services that serve the airport were also impacted while the police carried out their inquiries.
In an unrelated incident in south London on Friday morning, the US Embassy area in Nine Elms by the River Thames was the scene of a controlled explosion by Scotland Yard dealing with what they believe may have been a “hoax device”.
“We can confirm the 'loud bang' reported in the area a short time ago was a controlled explosion carried out by officers,” the Metropolitan Police said in a post on X.
“Initial indications are that the item was a hoax device. An investigation will now follow. Some cordons will remain in place for the time being but the majority of the police response will now be stood down,” it added.
