NASA officials announced on Wednesday that the two astronauts who were transported to the International Space Station in June via Boeing's Starliner may return aboard SpaceX's Crew Dragon in February 2025, should Starliner continue to be considered unsafe for their return to Earth.
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BREAKING 🚨: The two NASA astronauts who have been stranded on the ISS since June due to Boeing Starliner issues may not return until Feb. 2025, says NASA
They were only supposed to be there for less than a week pic.twitter.com/F7Z20r4L43 — Latest in space (@latestinspace) August 7, 2024
The U.S. space agency has been in discussions with SpaceX regarding the possibility of leaving two seats vacant on an upcoming Crew Dragon mission for NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams, who were the inaugural crew to operate Boeing's Starliner capsule.
The duration of the astronauts' test mission, which was originally anticipated to last approximately eight days at the station, has been extended due to complications with Starliner's propulsion system, raising significant concerns about the spacecraft's capability to safely facilitate their return as initially scheduled.
A representative from Boeing stated that should NASA opt to modify the mission of Starliner, the company "will implement the necessary measures to prepare Starliner for an uncrewed return."
Failures of the thrusters during the Starliner's initial approach to the International Space Station in June, along with multiple helium leaks—essential for pressurizing those thrusters—have prompted Boeing to initiate a testing campaign aimed at identifying the underlying causes and proposing solutions to NASA, which retains ultimate authority.
Recent findings have revealed additional concerns, heightening apprehensions regarding a safe return. The latest test results have ignited discussions and disagreements within NASA about the viability of permitting a Starliner return to Earth versus opting for the Crew Dragon as an alternative.
NASA has said astronauts Sunita Williams & Butch Wilmore may only return to earth in Feb 2025. In yet another setback to Boeing, Williams & Wilmore may return on competitor SpaceX's Crew Dragon, if the Starliner is still deemed unsafe to return to earth#starliner #boeing… pic.twitter.com/dyMVsijAKn — CNBC-TV18 (@CNBCTV18News) August 8, 2024
Utilizing a SpaceX vehicle to return astronauts that Boeing intended to transport via Starliner would represent a significant setback for an aerospace company that has faced challenges in competing with SpaceX and its more seasoned Crew Dragon.
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