Boeing's Starliner mission has taken a tumultuous turn, leaving two astronauts stranded aboard the International Space Station (ISS) far longer than anticipated. Astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams were launched on June 5, 2024, for what was supposed to be about a week-long flight. Instead, they find themselves potentially stuck until February 2025 due to significant issues with their spacecraft.
Originally, the mission was hailed as the first crewed test flight of Boeing’s Starliner capsule. This mission aimed to demonstrate Boeing's capability to transport astronauts to and from the ISS effectively, and it would have been the final step for NASA to certify Boeing for regular flights. Early on, everything seemed to proceed smoothly. Yet things took a turn when multiple technical difficulties emerged, including propulsion system failures and helium leaks during its ascent and docking process.
Nasa announced developments at a press conference on August 7, 2024, outlining the precarious situation faced by the astronauts. This session highlighted the complexity of the mission and the various paths being explored for returning the crew safely to Earth. "We’re now faced with multiple options," said Ken Bowersox, associate administrator for NASA’s Space Operations Mission Directorate and former astronaut. "Our chances of conducting an uncrewed Starliner return have increased slightly, but the situation remains fluid, with unpredictable discussions and new data.”
The prospect of using SpaceX's Crew Dragon spacecraft as the primary option for returning Wilmore and Williams evolved as NASA dissected the serious thruster malfunctions plaguing the Starliner. Five of the capsule's 28 thrusters misfired during operations. Although the Starliner can undock from the ISS, there are still lingering concerns about how the capsule would perform during the return to Earth.
Steve Stich, manager of NASA's Commercial Crew Program, voiced the concerns about the Starliner's readiness for crewed return. “We are doing everything we can to understand the situation the Starliner is facing. It’s too early to make commitments about the return vehicle; safety is our top priority.”
While the Starliner crewed return remains the preferred option, contingency plans are also on the table. One of these plans includes reconfiguring the Crew Dragon spacecraft, docked at the ISS, to accommodate Wilmore and Williams. An additional option discussed involved sending the astronauts back on a Russian Soyuz spacecraft as another layer of security for their return.
The situation has put significant pressure on Boeing, already under scrutiny for past development delays and cost overruns with the Starliner project, which have now reached approximately $1.5 billion. NASA has invested heavily in the partnership with both Boeing and SpaceX, exploring the advantage of multiple vehicles to transport astronauts, increasing reliability, and option flexibility.
The delays are set against the backdrop of Boeing's competing development challenges with their commercial aircraft. Following the series of negative press about the Starliner and more extensive concerns surrounding their projects, public confidence is precariously positioned. "Boeing continues to express confidence in the Starliner’s capability,” the company stated. “We continue to support NASA’s requests for testing and safety assurance."
Meanwhile, Wilmore and Williams have not been idle, as they continue to conduct research and maintenance onboard the ISS. The extended timeline has allowed them to contribute more extensively to scientific projects, enhancing the space station's mission even as they await their return.
NASA's decision-making process involves not only technical evaluations but also consultations with various aerospace experts, reflecting its serious commitment to the astronauts’ safety. “We need to scrutinize the data and the conditions on the ground,” said Stich. “We’re exploring testing methods to recreate the issues we've encountered to substantiate our findings.”
Currently, SpaceX’s Crew-9 mission launch has also been delayed from August 18 to September 24, 2024. This push-back allows the teams more time to troubleshoot the Starliner's technical hurdles, potentially freeing up docking ports at the ISS. NASA is working diligently to set up the most viable path for the astronauts' return – either through Starliner if certifiable, or via another vehicle if necessary.
What's more, once the Crew-9 mission launches, it may potentially carry only two astronauts, allowing room for Wilmore and Williams to ride back to Earth. This would mean extending their stay at the ISS from the intended eight days to possibly eight months – quite the unexpected adventure!
Wilmore and Williams have shared their excitement about the challenges of extended missions, expressing pride at being part of the collaborative efforts taking place aboard the ISS. Yet, everyone is aware of the uncertainties surrounding the Starliner and NASA's broader Commercial Crew Program. The space industry is rife with uncertainties and every decision has monumental consequences for astronauts venturing beyond our Earth.
NASA's mixed feelings about the Starliner continue to be reflected within the agency. There's acknowledgment of post-test flight adjustments required and concerns over the inherent risks involved with putting astronauts back on Starliner if they proceed with its return. No options are off the table; the situation is evolving daily as new analyses surface.
For now, the team at NASA gears up for their next steps, keeping the well-being of Wilmore and Williams as the utmost priority, weighing every possible alternative to assure they return safely to Earth. The ultimate decision is likely to be made within the next few weeks once all pertinent evaluations continue.
