After two months, astronauts stranded at the ISS may have a way back home. Two astronauts embarked on an eight-day mission to the International Space Station in June but have been stuck there due to vehicle issues. NASA is now considering bringing them back in a SpaceX capsule.
The mission was a test flight carrying astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, the first human passengers in Boeing’s Starliner. However, the spacecraft encountered problems shortly after launch, including a helium leak and faulty thrusters. Since docking with the station in early June, NASA and Boeing have been working to determine the root cause of these issues and assess the safety of using Starliner to bring the astronauts back home.
NASA’s Steve Stich mentioned that despite extensive testing, both in space and on the ground, the agency is still unsure about the exact cause of the thruster failures in space. As a result, NASA has reached out to SpaceX to prepare a backup plan using their Dragon capsule to rescue the astronauts. Dragon was initially set to launch later in the month for a separate mission called Crew-9. However, NASA is now considering adjusting the mission to accommodate Wilmore and Williams’ return in February.
The decision to use Dragon for the return journey would require a software update on Starliner to allow it to autonomously return home without a crew. While Boeing remains confident in Starliner’s capabilities, the prolonged delays and issues with the program have impacted the company’s reputation and finances.
Space industry analyst Laura Forczyk noted that the situation is not favorable for Boeing, as they are facing financial losses and reputational damage due to the ongoing challenges with the Starliner program. NASA is expected to make a decision on the astronauts’ return ride later this month, with considerations for safety and logistics in mind.
In conclusion, the stranded astronauts at the ISS may finally have a way back home after being stuck for two months. NASA’s collaboration with SpaceX and ongoing assessments of the Starliner’s capabilities are crucial in ensuring a safe return for the astronauts. The space community is eagerly awaiting the final decision on the crew’s journey back to Earth.
