During a recent conference at Apress, NASA representatives confirmed that they have a contingency plan in place to bring astronauts Barry Wilmore and Sunita Williams back home from the International Space Station (ISS) early next year. The news comes as a relief to space enthusiasts and families of the stranded astronauts.
The Boeing Starliner’s Delays
As we all know, the Boeing Starliner spacecraft was meant to transport Wilmore and Williams to the ISS in June 2023. However, after a successful crewed launch on June 5th (following several delays), the vehicle experienced thruster failures and helium leaks while docking with the ISS. These issues have left the astronauts stuck in orbit for over two months.
Boeing’s Troubled History
The Boeing Starliner program has been plagued by significant delays and cost overruns. The June crewed test flight was originally scheduled to take place seven years ago, but it has taken a lot of time and effort to get the vehicle ready for launch. Unfortunately, Boeing’s troubles don’t end there.
Recent Setbacks
This year alone has seen Boeing face numerous challenges, including:
- A door plug exploding out from one of its planes during flight
- Plea guilty to a criminal fraud charge
These incidents have raised concerns about the safety and reliability of Boeing’s spacecraft. The question on everyone’s mind is: Can they be trusted with transporting humans safely?
NASA’s Investigation
Tests conducted at NASA’s White Sands Test Facility pointed to deformed Teflon seals being a potential cause of the Starliner’s thrusters failing. However, NASA officials aren’t expected to make a final decision on whether or not Williams and Wilmore will return using Boeing’s spacecraft until mid-August.
The Preferred Solution
Although NASA is still considering using the Boeing Starliner as their preferred solution, they have a backup plan in place just in case. If needed, SpaceX will send two astronauts to the ISS aboard the Crew-9 mission in late September, leaving two spots available for Williams and Wilmore to return in February 2024.
The Reconfigured Starliner
If SpaceX does end up bringing the astronauts back home, Boeing will reconfigure the Starliner craft so that it can return to Earth uncrewed ahead of the Crew-9 launch. This way, NASA can ensure that their spacecraft is safe and reliable before putting humans on board again.
A Glimmer of Hope
While the situation may seem dire for Wilmore and Williams, there’s a silver lining. With SpaceX standing by to assist, these brave astronauts will be back home in no time. And as for Boeing, this incident serves as a reminder that safety should always come first.
Timeline
- June 2023: Boeing Starliner’s crewed test flight originally scheduled
- June 5th, 2023: Successful crewed launch of the Boeing Starliner (following several delays)
- Mid-August 2023: NASA expected to make a final decision on whether or not Williams and Wilmore will return using Boeing’s spacecraft
- Late September 2023: SpaceX Crew-9 mission scheduled to launch
- February 2024: Planned return date for Williams and Wilmore using SpaceX’s Crew-9 mission
