Boeing has made the decision to return its Starliner capsule from the International Space Station (ISS) without the NASA astronauts that it originally delivered to orbit in early June. This unexpected turn of events has led NASA to now have astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams return via SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft, which is scheduled to launch its ninth regular mission to the ISS on September 24th. Wilmore and Williams will remain at the ISS for approximately six more months before coming back to Earth in February on SpaceX’s Crew-9 vehicle.
The decision to bring back the Starliner capsule empty signifies a significant change in plans for both NASA and Boeing. Initially, both organizations were firm in their belief that the capsule was the preferred choice for returning the crew. However, the crew flight test of the Starliner faced various issues, most notably with its propulsion system. This led to the need for further investigations, data gathering, and decision-making processes involving NASA and Boeing.
NASA’s Safety Concerns and Flight Readiness Review
During a press conference held at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson emphasized the importance of safety in space missions. The decision to return the Starliner empty was made in the interest of understanding the root causes of the problems faced by the spacecraft and implementing necessary design improvements. Another phase of NASA’s Flight Readiness Review will take place to determine the timeline for bringing the empty Starliner back to Earth.
Despite previous assurances from Boeing that the Starliner was safe for crew return, NASA identified technical disagreements between the agency and the aerospace company regarding risk evaluation. The safety of the crew and spacecraft remains the top priority for both NASA and Boeing. The commitment to safety led to the decision to bring back the Starliner without crew and focus on resolving the propulsion system issues.
NASA officials were unanimous in their decision to select SpaceX to bring the crew back from the ISS. SpaceX will now accommodate Wilmore and Williams on its Crew-9 vehicle, reducing the number of planned astronauts from four to two. This adjustment was made to ensure a safe and successful return for the astronauts. SpaceX President and COO Gwynne Shotwell expressed readiness to support NASA in any way possible.
Delays and Setbacks for Boeing
Boeing’s Starliner capsule, named “Calypso,” has been at the ISS for an extended period while investigations into the thruster failures are ongoing. The thrusters, a crucial part of the propulsion system, are essential for the safe return of the Starliner from the ISS. The setbacks faced by Boeing in the Commercial Crew program have raised concerns about the company’s future involvement and financial losses exceeding $1.5 billion.
The unexpected decision to return the Starliner capsule empty from the ISS underscores the complexities and challenges involved in space exploration. Safety considerations, technical disagreements, and delays have highlighted the importance of thorough testing and preparation before crewed missions. Despite the setbacks, both NASA and Boeing remain committed to resolving the issues and ensuring the success of future missions to the International Space Station.
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