NASA’s latest mission with Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft has turned from what was supposed to be a short eight-day trip to the International Space Station (ISS) to what could potentially become a nearly two-year stay for two astronauts. This unexpected twist, driven by technical issues with the Starliner, has raised eyebrows not just among the space community but also among healthcare experts.
Launched on June 5, 2024, Boeing’s Starliner carried NASA astronauts Barry "Butch" Wilmore and Sunita "Suni" Williams to the ISS as part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program. Their mission was initially routine, but soon became complicated due to several alarming technical glitches, including helium leaks and thruster failures. NASA confirmed recently during press conferences and announcements about the mission’s status.
Despite the presence of these technical failures, officials have reassured the public and professionals alike about safety. Ken Bowersox, NASA's Associate Administrator for Space Operations, mentioned, “We don’t just have to bring a crew back on Starliner, for example. We could bring them back on another vehicle.” Still, the best option for their return remains unresolved, complicate matters even more.
NASA is currently considering the possibility of utilizing SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft as a return vehicle. If this route is chosen, Wilmore and Williams may not return until February 2025, leading to their extended stay aboard the ISS. While suggestions of bulking up the crew aboard the Dragon mission are on the table, only two of the astronauts set to fly would be sent back to make room for Williams and Wilmore.
The ramifications of spending more time aboard the ISS are significant. Prolonged space missions can lead to potential health risks, something astronauts and the scientific community are particularly worried about. With experts raising alarms about the medical consequences of this extended stay, astronaut health is definitely on the radar.
The lack of gravitational force during space missions leads to accelerated bone density loss, which NASA reports occurs at rates 12 times faster than severe osteoporosis on Earth. This bone loss raises the risk of fractures, which could prove perilous during their extended mission. Without access to Earth's abundant resources, recovering from such injuries will be challenging.
Another significant concern is muscle atrophy, which affects many astronauts during extended periods of microgravity. NASA studies indicate astronauts could lose up to 50% of their muscle mass if they remain off Earth for extended periods. This loss may interfere with physical capabilities, making daily tasks aboard the ISS increasingly difficult.
Vision issues are yet another pitfall of long-duration space missions. Changes to intracranial pressure from prolonged stays can induce vision problems, and there could be cognitive effects as well. The brain's adaptation to microgravity isn't fully understood and could present unforeseen hurdles for the astronauts.
Perhaps even more worrying is the exposure to cosmic radiation encountered by astronauts on the ISS. On average, astronauts are exposed to radiation levels equivalent to what one would receive on Earth over the course of several years. This exposure ups the stakes significantly when it pertains to long-term health risks, particularly concerning the potential development of cancer.
Aside from all these health-based concerns, the microgravity environment also carries risks for kidney stones, which often develop during extended missions. The physiological changes from prolonged weightlessness can exacerbate this issue, posing additional challenges for Williams and Wilmore.
Incidentally, if you thought two months felt long, the longest recorded stay by any astronaut is held by Francisco Rubio, who remained aboard the ISS for 371 days due to similar technical complications affecting his Soyuz spacecraft. The most memorable story of being stuck is, of course, Sergei Krikalev, who was aboard the Mir space station for 803 days following the collapse of the Soviet Union.
While the astronauts find themselves currently safe yet indefinitely away from home, discussions around substituting alternate spacecraft, coupled with their extended health risks, paint concern for the future of manned space exploration. NASA and Boeing are under intense scrutiny, with many advocating for more transparency and accountability following the setbacks of the Starliner mission, which some view as having failed to meet industry standards.
The public has expressed concern over letting the astronauts remain locked on the ISS, questioning whether this situation could have been avoided altogether. Future missions and the health of astronauts like Wilmore and Williams hang precariously on the balance of safe vehicle performance and decisions made from corporate partnerships.
Despite the challenges, Williams and Wilmore are dynamic professionals with years of experience both on the ground and up high, and they are undoubtedly prepared to handle any hurdle their extended stay may throw at them. Yet, the mission they're on carries heavy consequences not just for their health but for the future of space exploration too. What we’re seeing now provides valuable lessons for future missions and how mankind engages with the vast, complex void of outer space. Perhaps every setback could give way to greater wisdom as we expand our reach beyond Earth, but it’s clear; proper procedures must be followed to secure the safety and health of those who venture to the stars.
