Starliner astronauts water plants and repair urine pumps on the ISS

While NASA and Boeing engineers swear they are nearing a decision on the best way to return Starliner crew members Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams to Earth, the astronauts have apparently had plenty to do in the meantime. According to one Update from August 20The space agency “takes advantage” of their “additional time aboard the orbital laboratory” by having them work on multiple science experiments, routine maintenance work, and prepare their roommates on the International Space Station for spacewalks. In addition, the pair are now helping with ongoing research to investigate the pros and cons of both fiber optic cable production and gardening in microgravity.

While not technically “stranded” in the classic sense of the word, Wilmore and Williams have been aboard the ISS since June 6, well past their original eight-day itinerary. Shortly after the inaugural launch of Boeing’s Starliner at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, engineers noticed various technical problems related to the spacecraft thrust systems. Although they were able to dock safely with the ISS, NASA and Boeing experts have since spent weeks conducting thrust tests on Earth and conducting extensive data reviews to determine the safest solution. At last check, mission leaders say they expect “to make a decision on the way forward by the end of August.” Whether it’s Starliner or not take a ride aboard one of SpaceX’s reusable Dragon spacecraft remains to be seen.

[Related: Boeing Starliner launches first crewed mission for NASA.]

However, when not supporting these efforts by monitoring Starliner flight systems and collecting performance data for engineers, Wilmore and Williams will reportedly assist at the ISS as needed. Their work ongoing Flawless Space Fibers-1 For example, the experiment aims to better understand the nuances of manufacturing fiber optic cables in microgravity using new hardware and manufacturing techniques. Previous studies show that fibers made in space are of better quality than fibers made on Earth because gravity does not break them down during production. Figuring out how to create optical cabling in space in the most efficient way could one day improve communications systems for astronauts, strengthen microgravity laboratory equipment on the ISS, and even improve remote sensing and communications arrays on Earth.

In addition to fiber optics, NASA says the Starliner crew is also helping with two crop-related experiments: Plant water management 5 and 6. These focus on using the physical properties of liquids, such as surface tension and humidification, as a way to keep plants properly hydrated and aerated in the space. The information gathered from these tests could soon help design future gardening systems specifically made for reduced gravity, whether on the ISS, at a moon base or even on Mars.

When they’re not working, NASA reports that the astronauts still enjoy their free time by emailing, calling and video chatting with friends and family. Presumably they are also crossing their fingers that they won’t get the job “repairing a urine processing pump”, as previously reported.

On the other hand, NASA has stated that there is a chance that Wilmore and Williams will eventually replace two crew members in the upcoming (and Starliner-delayed) SpaceX Crew-9 mission currently scheduled for September. If that’s the case, their originally eight-day trip could stretch into February 2025 – enough time for additional problems with the urine processing pump.