Cape Canaveral, August 25, 2024, The Europe Today: Two NASA astronauts who were launched to the International Space Station (ISS) aboard Boeing’s Starliner capsule are set to return to Earth early next year using a rival SpaceX spacecraft, NASA announced on Saturday. The decision follows a series of malfunctions in the Starliner capsule’s propulsion system, leaving the astronauts stranded on the ISS for nearly 80 days.
American astronauts Barry “Butch” Wilmore and Sunita “Suni” Williams, both veteran spacefarers, embarked on the first manned test flight of the Starliner on June 5, originally intended to be a week-long mission. However, shortly after launch, the spacecraft encountered significant technical issues, forcing an extended stay on the ISS.
NASA’s New Return Plan
NASA Administrator Bill Nelson confirmed that Wilmore and Williams will return to Earth in February 2025 aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule, while the Boeing Starliner will return uncrewed. The return mission, dubbed Crew-9, is scheduled to launch in late September 2024, following the departure of the Starliner to clear a docking port on the ISS.
The SpaceX Crew-9 mission, initially planned to carry four passengers, will now be reconfigured to accommodate only two, along with additional cargo, personal effects, and Dragon-specific spacesuits for the returning astronauts.
Boeing’s Continued Challenges
NASA’s decision to use SpaceX for the astronauts’ return marks a significant setback for Boeing, which has faced ongoing issues with its Starliner program. The capsule’s development has been plagued by delays, technical challenges, and over $1.6 billion in budget overruns since 2016.
Ken Bowersox, NASA’s space operations chief, stated that NASA officials unanimously supported the decision to use SpaceX’s Crew Dragon for the astronauts’ return, citing safety concerns. Boeing, however, had voted in favor of using the Starliner, asserting that it was safe for the mission.
“This is not the decision we had hoped for, but we stand ready to support NASA’s decision,” said Mark Nappi, Boeing’s Starliner chief, in an email to employees. “The focus remains on ensuring the safety of the crew and spacecraft.”
Despite this setback, NASA maintains confidence in Boeing’s ability to rectify the issues and plans to continue working with the company to ensure that Starliner becomes a reliable vehicle for ferrying astronauts to and from the ISS. Nelson expressed confidence that Boeing will successfully launch another crewed Starliner mission in the future.
Astronauts Continue ISS Mission
Wilmore and Williams, both former military test pilots, remain in good spirits and are fully equipped to handle the extended duration of their mission. NASA has ensured that the astronauts have sufficient supplies and will continue to conduct scientific experiments alongside the station’s seven other crew members until their scheduled return in early 2025.
The decision underscores the challenges and complexities of human space exploration, as well as the importance of redundancy in spacecraft systems to ensure the safety and success of missions.
