NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore have received unsettling news about their return to Earth.
Due to a series of problems with Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft, which has left the astronauts stranded on the International Space Station (ISS) for over two months, their return mission might be delayed until February 2025.
NASA has unveiled a contingency plan that involves launching a two-person crew aboard SpaceX’s Crew-9 mission in September.
Unfortunately, even with this backup plan, the astronauts will remain in space for several more months.
This situation is yet another setback for Boeing, which is already struggling with a range of issues affecting its commercial jets.
The Starliner mission, initially intended to last only eight days, has now extended to 60 days due to thruster failures and helium leaks.
These problems have raised concerns that a return trip on Starliner could be risky.
Testing and troubleshooting have been ongoing to determine whether the spacecraft can safely return the astronauts.
Despite Boeing’s confidence in the Starliner’s capabilities, experts suggest that NASA might need to consider a rescue mission, potentially involving SpaceX.
Professor Mike Gruntman from the University of Southern California has pointed out that SpaceX could potentially step in to provide an additional launch to bring the astronauts home.
He also lamented Boeing’s continued difficulties, noting the company’s historical reputation as a leading aerospace and defense firm.
Boeing’s troubles extend beyond the Starliner, with commercial jet issues costing the company at least $3 billion.
The company had been awarded a $4.2 billion contract by NASA to develop the Starliner as a shuttle for ISS astronauts.
This week, NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, which oversees the Starliner project, debated whether to accept Boeing’s testing data and use Starliner to return the astronauts.
The meeting ended with some officials expressing concerns and no clear decision being made.
NASA is expected to make a final decision next week, as the agency continues to evaluate Starliner’s performance and safety.
Technical Problems and Testing
Testing of the Starliner has revealed several issues. In June, four of the spacecraft’s thrusters failed due to overheating, and other thrusters showed reduced performance during tests.
Ground tests in late July at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico indicated that overheating caused Teflon seals to warp, leading to reduced thrust.
NASA’s Steve Stich highlighted that the lack of understanding of these issues has increased concerns, prompting discussions about a potential Crew Dragon contingency plan.
Starliner’s Troublesome Journey
The Starliner’s journey has been fraught with difficulties.
After a leak forced a mission scrub in May, further complications led to a computer-abort system halting the launch just minutes before liftoff.
Safety concerns have been voiced by industry experts, urging NASA to ensure that Starliner is thoroughly checked before any further missions. Despite these challenges, Boeing has been working on fixing the thrusters and addressing helium leaks.
Moving Forward
As Boeing continues to troubleshoot and test the Starliner, the space agency and the public are left waiting for a resolution. The outcome of NASA’s decision on how to proceed with the Starliner mission remains uncertain as the situation develops.
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