Photo Credit: Getty Images
Veteran NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, currently piloting Boeing's Starliner spacecraft on its first crewed test flight, have now been in space for 63 days, far exceeding their original mission duration. The mission, which launched on June 5, has faced unexpected delays, leaving NASA uncertain about a return date.
NASA officials disclosed in a recent news conference that Wilmore and Williams might not return home on Starliner. Instead, SpaceX's Crew Dragon, a rival spacecraft under NASA's Commercial Crew Program, may be used to bring the astronauts back, potentially extending their stay on the International Space Station (ISS) by another six months, pushing their return into 2025.
This shift marks a significant change in NASA's stance. Initially, the agency planned for the astronauts to return on Starliner, with Crew Dragon as a backup. However, recent developments have elevated the likelihood of using SpaceX's vehicle.
Ken Bowersox, Associate Administrator for NASA's Space Operations Mission Directorate, noted, "Our chances of an uncrewed Starliner return have increased based on recent findings." This statement reflects the agency's internal review processes, which have yet to set a return date for Starliner. The decision is expected by mid-August.
NASA and Boeing teams are still analyzing the propulsion issues and helium leaks that affected Starliner's flight. Steve Stich, NASA's Commercial Crew Program manager, mentioned that excess heat around some thrusters caused teflon seals to bulge, restricting propellant flow. This uncertainty has made NASA reconsider the safety of a crewed Starliner return.
In response to these concerns, NASA is evaluating several contingency plans. One option involves launching SpaceX's Crew-9 mission with two astronauts instead of four, leaving two seats available for Wilmore and Williams. This would integrate them into the Crew-9 rotation, extending their mission by six months. In this scenario, Starliner would return to Earth uncrewed.
NASA has not yet finalized this plan. Stich emphasized that returning the astronauts aboard Starliner remains the "prime" option, though preparations for the Crew-9 contingency are in place. Delays in SpaceX's Crew-9 mission, now slated for no earlier than September 24, provide NASA with additional time to finalize return plans for Starliner.
Bowersox cautioned that deviating from the primary plan to use Starliner introduces additional risks. For instance, an autonomous Starliner return would require software updates and rigorous ground testing, a time-consuming process.
As NASA continues to gather and analyze data, the decision on whether to use Starliner or Crew Dragon for the astronauts' return remains pending. The agency's next steps will depend on new findings and risk assessments, highlighting the dynamic and complex nature of space missions.
