NASA's ambitious space program continues to make headlines, especially with the upcoming return of the Boeing Starliner spacecraft from the International Space Station (ISS). After spending 12 weeks orbiting the Earth, the Starliner is primed for its re-entry, taking place on September 6. This mission is particularly notable not only for its duration but also because it will be returning without its intended crew onboard, which has raised eyebrows and concerns.
Scheduled to undock around 6 p.m. ET, the Starliner will slowly make its way home, spending several hours adjusting its orbit before aiming for the landing site at White Sands Space Harbor, New Mexico, shortly before midnight. The astronauts originally on this mission, Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, will remain on the ISS for the time being, continuing their research and observations from space.
The decision to conduct the return mission without its astronauts came after NASA's evaluation of the spacecraft's systems. Reports indicated there were serious issues involving gas leaks and concerns over the propulsion system's reliability. Consequently, NASA deemed it unsafe for the Starliner to complete its mission with crew members inside. "We recognize the disappointment of not being able to complete this mission as intended," said Ken Bowersox, NASA’s associate administrator for Space Operations. But he emphasized safety had to come first.
During this automated return flight, the Starliner will be controlled from the ground. According to NASA, "the uncrewed Starliner spacecraft will perform its return with full autonomy, with flight controllers at both Starliner Mission Control and Boeing’s Mission Control ready to take command remotely if necessary.” This mission is not just about getting back safely; it’s also about confirming the spacecraft’s capabilities for future crewed missions.
How well the Starliner performs on its return could significantly shape the future of Boeing’s program. Any mishap during the descent or landing could lead NASA to question the vehicle’s overall safety and reliability for future human spaceflight. This is particularly sensitive for Boeing, which has faced scrutiny and challenges over multiple projects and substantial financial losses amounting to about $1.5 billion on this program alone. If the Starliner fails to deliver, it could be another tough pill for the company to swallow.
Boeing has maintained its confidence in the Starliner, asserting it will be prepared for the uncrewed return and emphasizing the importance of safety. The firm is invested not only financially but also reputationally. Disappointingly for Boeing, and excitingly for enthusiasts, the astronaut duo will be returning to Earth on SpaceX’s Crew Dragon capsule, which has proven itself with numerous successful crewed flights over the last few years. This transition has necessitated some adjustments to the crew for the Crew-9 mission, leading to the exclusion of two other astronauts expected to be on board, allowing Wilmore and Williams to step back aboard SpaceX’s well-tested spacecraft.
NASA had to overhaul its scheduling to accommodate this change, showing just how dynamic and sometimes unpredictable space travel can be. It was announced last week two astronauts who had trained for the Crew-9 mission will now be waiting for another opportunity. Their slots were filled with Wilmore and Williams, but the shift wasn’t easy for the astronauts involved. One of those edged out, Zena Cardman, expressed her bittersweet feelings about stepping aside but also her commitment to the mission's greater goal: "Even if I can’t fly with them, I still feel proud to be part of this large endeavor and the team effort behind it all."
Meanwhile, the three crew members on the Crew-9 mission will be Nick Hague, Aleksandr Gorbunov, and one of the freshly adjusted astronauts. This mission will have them piloting the Crew Dragon, which has garnered confidence from NASA over multiple successful flights.
With the upcoming return of the Starliner, all eyes will be on this spacecraft to see if it can successfully carry out its mission objectives and return to Earth without incident. The engineering and logistical challenges present themselves as significant hurdles, but as history shows, NASA and Boeing have committed all the resources necessary to cover these bases. NASA is now faced with the monumental task of determining if its new partner can meet the standards set for human spaceflight certification, which is now more pressing than ever.
With reports surfacing about leaks and propulsion failures, there’s justified concern on how the Starliner will handle these returns. NASA has to balance its ambition for the program with realism, ensuring no stone is left unturned for the safety and success of potential human missions. The stakes couldn't be higher as the aerospace community, along with space enthusiasts, eagerly await the outcome.
The timeline for the Starliner's human flight certification now hangs precariously, depending heavily on how this return flight performs. There's whispering around the industry about the potential for additional design modifications or retrofitting which could push timelines back and test Boeing's mettle even more.
What lies beyond the Starliner and the upcoming Crew-9 mission could initiate a pivotal chapter for NASA and Boeing, as both have substantial interests riding on finalizing safe and effective low Earth orbit travel.
