NASA has announced that astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, currently aboard the International Space Station (ISS), might remain in space until February 2025. This extension is due to ongoing issues with Boeing's Starliner spacecraft, which was initially intended to return them to Earth.
The astronauts were sent to the ISS in June on Starliner, marking its first crewed mission. However, their stay has been prolonged because of technical problems with the spacecraft’s propulsion system. The issues, which include thruster failures and helium leaks, have raised safety concerns about the Starliner's ability to safely return the astronauts.
Boeing has been working to address these problems through an extensive testing campaign. Recent data has shown that overheating thrusters are causing Teflon seals to warp, which restricts propellant flow and weakens thrust. This has led to internal debates within NASA about whether to risk a return with Starliner or opt for the safer alternative provided by SpaceX's Crew Dragon.
If NASA decides against using Starliner for the return, Boeing will have to configure the spacecraft for an uncrewed return mission. This would be a significant setback for Boeing, which has already invested $1.6 billion in Starliner’s development, including $125 million for the current test mission. Boeing has faced numerous challenges in developing Starliner, including management and engineering issues.
In the meantime, NASA has been negotiating with SpaceX to use Crew Dragon for Wilmore and Williams' return. The plan is to use SpaceX's Crew-9 mission, scheduled for September 2024, to bring the astronauts back to Earth in early 2025. The Crew Dragon spacecraft would be modified to carry only two passengers to accommodate Wilmore and Williams.
The Starliner capsule has been docked to the ISS for 63 of its maximum 90 days, occupying the port that Crew Dragon will need for its upcoming mission. To accommodate these plans, NASA has delayed SpaceX's Crew-9 mission by over a month.
NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, which manages the Starliner project, has granted Boeing additional time to conduct further testing and gather more data. A decision on whether to use Starliner or Crew Dragon for the return is expected in the coming week.
Despite the extended stay, which has integrated Wilmore and Williams into ongoing ISS missions, the situation has led to a depletion of supplies intended for other crew members. NASA remains committed to ensuring the astronauts' safe return, whether on Starliner or Crew Dragon.
Follow us
