NASA is currently faced with the challenging task of bringing two astronauts back from the International Space Station (ISS) after technical difficulties with the Boeing Starliner spacecraft. The situation has taken many unforeseen turns, leading to significant adjustments within NASA's space missions.
Initially set for what was supposed to be a weeklong return mission, astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams made their way aboard the Starliner on June 5, 2024. Unfortunately, what should have been an uneventful test flight turned complex. Shortly after their launch, the spacecraft experienced several technical failures, including propulsion leaks and thruster malfunctions, leaving both NASA and Boeing scrambling to assess the risks associated with the mission.
The Starliner, after its harrowing beginning, eventually managed to dock safely with the ISS. Despite this success, the astronaut duo now finds themselves without a clear timeline for return. NASA has been wrestling with whether to use the capsuled Starliner for their homecoming or to switch to SpaceX’s Dragon capsule, which is currently docked at the ISS.
According to NASA, the astronauts would serve best as part of the international crew aboard the station and are well-equipped with supplies and work to keep them occupied during their extended stay. Comments from NASA officials suggest they are ensuring Wilmore and Williams are well taken care of, providing ample resources to sustain their mission without serious worries for their safety. The agency emphasized repeatedly, both to the public and internally, the capability of the Starliner to serve as a lifeboat if emergencies arise during their stay.
One of the chief concerns stemming from the Starliner’s misadventures is the safety of using it for the astronauts’ return. NASA’s analysis suggests they can’t risk sending the astronauts back aboard the troubled spacecraft when performances stats show significant unreliability, especially concerning the thrusters, which are mandatory for maneuvering during the final stages of re-entry and landing.
The decision-making process reached its peak recently, with high-ranking NASA officials expected to announce whether the astronauts will be coming home using the SpaceX vehicle instead of the Starliner. If they opt for SpaceX’s Dragon, both Wilmore and Williams will have to adapt quickly and create makeshift seats to accommodate themselves among the existing crew aboard the capsule slated for departure late September.
When it was confirmed they would end up flying with SpaceX, the ripple effects continued, leading to the somewhat contentious alteration of the upcoming Crew-9 mission set to take off later this month. NASA drastically reshuffled the astronaut line-up. This resulted eliminating Zena Cardman and Stephanie Wilson from the Crew-9 mission to make way for Wilmore and Williams. Cardman was especially disheartened, as this would have been her first-ever trip to space.
Though both astronauts were slightly disappointed about the sudden change, NASA reassured them they would have opportunities for future missions. This kind of reshuffling is common amid the intricacies of master plans involving multiple missions and safety priorities. Everyone understands adaptability is key when it involves missions to the ISS and returns to Earth.
Consequently, the Crew-9 flight is slated to proceed, carrying Nick Hague and Aleksandr Gorbunov. This revised mission has varied significance. Hague gains the rank of commander from his previous pilot position, marking him as the leading force of the Crew-9 mission.
NASA remains determined to improve Boeing's Starliner program, even amid its numerous setbacks. The culmination of technological hurdles voiced by engineers and flight controllers will be taken under close scrutiny to avoid potential dangers moving forward. Boeing is expected to launch the Starliner empty back to Earth to assist with investigations of its thruster issues and focus on identifying clear solutions going forward.
The empty return of the Starliner is scheduled for September 6, including plans for trip home using parachutes and landing descents facilitated via airbags. Meanwhile, Wilmore and Williams are expected to hang tight until February 2025 when they can take the SpaceX capsule home, bringing the mission’s experiences full circle and contributing to various data analyses NASA views as invaluable for future endeavors.
This entire situation shines a spotlight on the challenges NASA faces as it leans on partnerships with multiple aerospace companies, as the agency continues relying on both SpaceX and Boeing to ferry astronauts to and from the ISS.
Despite the gravity of the situation, NASA and its professionals approach the series of events with resilience and optimism. The overarching commitment is clear: each astronaut's safety and well-being are, and will remain, the top priorities as space exploration efforts march onward—despite setbacks.
This series of events exemplifies the unpredictability of space travel. NASA’s handling of emergency issues creates contingency scenarios, reinforcing the necessity of thorough explorations and comprehensive agility as space-faring entities navigate the complex and often-volatile realities of launching and returning astronauts to the ISS.
