CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — NASA has made the significant decision to keep two astronauts stationed at the International Space Station (ISS) much longer than initially planned due to complications with Boeing's new Starliner capsule. Instead of returning home this fall, Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams will now have to wait until February for their ride back with SpaceX, extending what was supposed to be a week-long test flight to over eight months.
The two experienced astronauts have been living aboard the ISS since June, managing various tasks and experiments. Their return was stalled by continual issues with the Boeing capsule, which suffered from multiple thruster malfunctions and helium leaks during its recent launch. NASA's decision was made after prolonged deliberation among engineers and top officials.
NASA Administrator Bill Nelson stressed the importance of prioritizing crew safety, noting, "A test flight by nature is neither safe nor routine." Emphasizing lessons learned from previous space shuttle tragedies, he stated, “This has not been an easy decision, but it is absolutely the right one.” Wilmore and Williams were slated to command the Starliner’s return, but because of the capsule’s troubles, they’ll now fly back on SpaceX’s Crew Dragon next year.
The Starliner capsule is set to undock from the station early September before making its way back to Earth on autopilot, landing in the New Mexico desert. This decision has significant implications for Boeing, which viewed the Starliner's first crewed flight as a pivotal moment for the spacecraft after years of delays and developmental challenges.
Jim Free, NASA’s associate administrator, remarked on the unfortunate circumstances, acknowledging how this situation affects Boeing and its reputation. The company, which has been facing increasing scrutiny within the aerospace industry due to various safety concerns, stated it remains invested first and foremost on ensuring crew and spacecraft safety.
Analysts like Jan Osburg from the Rand Corporation praised NASA's choice but also noted the embarrassing position the United States finds itself due to Starliner’s unresolved design failures. “The U.S. is still left with egg on its face due to the Starliner design issues,” he commented.
Wilmore, 61, and Williams, 58, both retired Navy captains, have previously undertaken long-duration space missions, and during their orbital news conference held last month, the astronauts expressed confidence in NASA’s thruster testing processes. They maintained their enthusiasm about the mission at the ISS and the work they were able to contribute during their extended stay.
Wilmore’s wife, Deanna, described how the family had produced plans for what could potentially be extended stays. She shared, "You just sort of have to roll with it," reflecting resilience amid uncertainty.
NASA's flight operations director, Norm Knight, ensured the astronauts were fully supportive of delaying their return. Unfortunately, options for alternate transport back to Earth were limited. The SpaceX Crew Dragon currently docked is already intended for four astronauts, who have been onsite since March, and the Soyuz capsule docked with the ISS has space for only three—two Russian astronauts wrapping up their own extended missions.
Due to the pressing circumstances, NASA decided against requesting SpaceX for immediate evacuation flights, considering the logistics and safety challenges. This method is reminiscent of last year when the Russian Space Agency expedited rescue missions after damage to their own spacecraft unexpectedly extended crew missions through space debris collisions.
Former astronaut Chris Hadfield emphasized the prudence of NASA's decision via social media, crediting their commitment to the safety of those aboard. He expressed, "Good to err on the side of caution for astronaut lives,” stating how he would embrace such extended missions as they are rare opportunities for space professionals.
The troubles associated with Starliner began long before the current malaise. Initial software issues arose during its inaugural test flight without crew members back in 2019, compelling NASA to reschedule the mission to 2022. Following this, additional problems, such as parachute malfunctions and the recent helium leak, contributed to multiple launch delays and tested the organization’s patience with Boeing’s design and engineering processes.
Despite these setbacks, NASA officials maintain the belief in Boeing’s capability to correct these flaws. Nelson states he is "100%" confident Starliner will fly again, acknowledging the $4 billion contract awarded to Boeing was intended to promote competitive capabilities between U.S. organizations as part of NASA’s drive to have two commercial spacecraft able to ferry astronauts.
Meanwhile, SpaceX has established itself as the clear frontrunner, successfully completing nine astronaut flights since 2020 effectively, marking Boeing’s delays starkly against the backdrop of their respective contracts. NASA continues to incline with hope Boeing can rectify these issues for another attempt at crew transport within the next year.
The overarching sentiment surrounding NASA’s decision has been rooted deeply within the organization's commitment to astronaut well-being, reflecting broader lessons from historical precautionary tales within the field. Keith Cowing, publisher of the NASA Watch blog, summed it accurately by noting the attribute of the space agency has leaned on, stating: “No one wants to hear the news of astronauts lost due to arrogance.”
Overall, NASA’s decision to postpone their astronauts' return underlines the discipline and rigors inherent within space exploration, as they continue to seek resolutions to associated risks of space travel. For Wilmore and Williams, they will endure the uncertainty of the wait as they contribute invaluable work aboard the ISS, reinforcing the spirit of discovery and resilience inherent to such lofty endeavors.
