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#^NASA Astronauts May Not Return To Earth Until 2025 After Boeing Starliner MalfunctionOn Wednesday, 7 July,
NASA announced that U.S. astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams, who launched for an eight-day mission in June, may remain on the International Space Station (ISS) until 2025 if their
Boeing Starliner spacecraft cannot be repaired for their return journey.
Currently, crews on Earth are working urgently to resolve the problem. But in case the Starliner is still considered unsafe for their return to Earth, astronauts might return on
SpaceX’s Crew Dragon in February of next year.
Discussion About Starliner Astronauts’ Return Home
The U. S. space agency has been exploring options with SpaceX to leave two seats vacant on an upcoming Crew Dragon launch, which was delayed by a month on Tuesday. This plan is part of NASA and Boeing’s efforts to determine how to safely return the astronauts home.
Starliner has been docked at the ISS for 63 of the 90 days it is allowed to stay. It is occupying the same docking port that Crew Dragon will need to use for the upcoming astronaut crew.
Earlier, NASA has rescheduled the SpaceX Crew-9 launch for after September 24. It was originally planned for mid-August.
Astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams may return on SpaceX’s Crew Dragon next year. Credit: NASA
A Boeing spokesperson stated that if NASA decides to alter Starliner’s mission, the company “will take the necessary steps to prepare Starliner for an uncrewed return.” A Boeing executive was not present at the Wednesday press conference.
Previously, on 2 August, the company expressed that it “remains highly confident in Starliner’s ability to return with crew.”
Any Agreement About Astronauts’ Safe Return?
As reported at Wednesday’s news conference, this week’s meeting of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, which oversees Starliner, ended with some officials disagreeing about using Boeing’s testing data and the plan to use Starliner to bring the astronauts home.
“We heard from a lot of folks that had concerns, and the decision was not clear,” said Ken Bowersox, NASA’s space operations chief.
What’s With Starliner Now?
The Starliner capsule in Boeing’s processing facility at the Kennedy Space Center. Credit: William Harwood/CBS News
Boeing’s testing so far has revealed that four of Starliner’s thrusters failed in June due to overheating and automatic shutdowns. Additionally, some other thrusters that were tested showed weaker performance than expected because of restrictions in their propellant flow.
Astronauts Wilmore and Williams are now helping with station operations while Starliner stays docked at the ISS.
Background
The astronauts’ test mission on 5 June was supposed to last about eight days on the ISS. However, it has been extended due to problems with Starliner’s propulsion system. These issues have raised concerns about whether the spacecraft can safely bring them back to Earth as planned.
In July, Boeing reported that engineers found problems with the Starliner after extensive testing, such as sudden thruster failures and helium leaks.
The full timeline of Starliner crew setbacks and flight delays you can read
here.
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NASA Astronauts May Not Return To Earth Until 2025 After Boeing Starliner Malfunction appeared first on
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