NASA Plans February Return for Starliner Astronauts on Different Craft

NASA Plans February Return for Starliner Astronauts on Different Craft

Summary

• NASA announces that astronauts Barry “Butch” Wilmore and Sunita “Suni” Williams will return to Earth in February 2025 aboard SpaceX’s Crew Dragon 9, instead of the Boeing Starliner.
• The Boeing Starliner will return uncrewed due to safety concerns, especially with the vehicle’s thrusters.
• The return of the astronauts has been delayed multiple times, and they are currently assisting with science experiments and maintenance on the International Space Station (ISS).
• NASA is considering modifications to the SpaceX Crew Dragon 9 mission to accommodate the astronauts, with additional spacesuits being carried to the ISS.
• The Starliner spacecraft requires updates and additional training for autonomous undocking from the ISS.

NASA Plans February Return for Starliner Astronauts on Different Craft

The two astronauts who embarked on a mission to the International Space Station (ISS) aboard Boeing’s Starliner will not be returning on the same spacecraft. NASA has announced that astronauts Barry “Butch” Wilmore and Sunita “Suni” Williams will return to Earth in February 2025 on SpaceX’s Crew Dragon 9. The Boeing Starliner, meanwhile, will return to Earth uncrewed, marking a significant shift in NASA’s plans due to ongoing safety concerns.

The mission began on June 5, 2024, when Wilmore and Williams launched aboard the Boeing Starliner. This mission was meant to be the first crewed test flight of Starliner under NASA’s Commercial Crew Program. Initially, the plan was for the astronauts to stay on the ISS for about a week and return by June 14, 2024. However, this timeline has been repeatedly extended due to various issues encountered by the Starliner spacecraft.

“Safety is our top priority, and the decision to bring Butch and Suni home on a different spacecraft underscores our commitment to that,” said Bill Nelson, NASA Administrator, during a recent news conference. The unexpected need to extend the astronauts’ stay on the ISS has had far-reaching implications, including additional strain on the resources aboard the station.

Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft has faced a series of challenges both before and after its launch. The mission was originally scheduled for May 6, 2024, but was delayed due to a problem with an oxygen valve on a rocket from United Launch Alliance (ULA), the company responsible for launching the spacecraft into orbit. A new launch date of May 25, 2024 was set, only to be postponed again due to a small helium leak discovered in the service module.

Once in orbit, further problems emerged. The Starliner’s thrusters showed signs of malfunction, raising concerns about the spacecraft’s ability to safely return to Earth with the astronauts onboard. Despite the initial plan to address these issues while docked at the ISS, NASA has determined that the risks are too high for a crewed return.

Steve Stich, Program Manager for NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, highlighted the concern by stating, “There was too much risk for the crew. Our primary focus is on ensuring the safety of our astronauts.” The decision was made to bring the astronauts home aboard a different spacecraft, specifically SpaceX’s Crew Dragon 9.

Modifications to the Crew Dragon 9 Mission

NASA has been exploring various options to ensure the safe return of Wilmore and Williams. One such plan involves modifying the upcoming SpaceX Crew Dragon 9 mission. Originally scheduled to launch to the ISS in September 2024 with four astronauts, NASA is considering sending the spacecraft with only two crew members to make space for additional supplies, including extra spacesuits for Wilmore and Williams.

If this plan is approved, Wilmore and Williams would remain on the ISS until February 2025, when they would finally return to Earth aboard the Crew Dragon 9. Stich emphasized that this plan is still under review, and no final decision has been made. The modifications would involve updating the Starliner software and additional training for the Boeing flight control team to ensure a safe uncrewed return of the spacecraft.

The Boeing Starliner is part of NASA’s larger Commercial Crew Program, which aims to develop reliable and cost-effective crew transportation to the ISS. The program has seen significant progress with SpaceX’s Crew Dragon, which has successfully completed multiple missions to and from the ISS. However, Boeing’s Starliner has been plagued by delays and technical issues.

The issues with the Starliner spacecraft have raised concerns about Boeing’s ability to meet NASA’s stringent safety standards. A spokesperson for Boeing reiterated the company’s commitment to safety, stating, “Boeing continues to focus, first and foremost, on the safety of the crew and spacecraft. We are executing the mission as determined by NASA, and we are preparing the spacecraft for a safe and successful uncrewed return.”

While Wilmore and Williams were initially scheduled for a short stay on the ISS, their mission has now extended into a much longer period. During this time, they have integrated with the Expedition 71 crew, assisting with a range of research activities and maintenance tasks. NASA officials have indicated that the extended stay has put additional strain on the ISS’s resources, as the astronauts have been using supplies originally allocated for the station’s permanent crew.

Despite the challenges, Wilmore and Williams have continued to contribute to the mission. “We are doing everything we can to support the science experiments and the maintenance of the ISS,” said Williams in a recent interview from space. The astronauts have also participated in a series of spacewalks, further showcasing their adaptability and resilience in the face of an extended mission.

Table 1: Key Dates in the Starliner Mission

Table 2: Issues Encountered with Starliner

Conclusion

NASA’s decision to return astronauts Wilmore and Williams on SpaceX’s Crew Dragon 9 instead of the Boeing Starliner underscores the agency’s commitment to safety. Despite the challenges faced during the mission, the astronauts have continued to make valuable contributions to the ISS, demonstrating the importance of adaptability in space exploration.

The Boeing Starliner’s uncrewed return will provide an opportunity for the company to address the technical issues and make necessary improvements. As the Commercial Crew Program moves forward, the lessons learned from this mission will undoubtedly play a critical role in shaping the future of human spaceflight.

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