2025 a Space Odyssey? Two American Astronauts Face Prolonged Stay in Space

[Social Media]

 

When Barry "Butch" Wilmore and Sunita Williams launched into space on June 5th aboard a Boeing Starliner spacecraft, they anticipated a brief eight-day mission to the International Space Station (ISS). Their journey was a critical test flight, designed to evaluate the performance of the new spacecraft before it became a regular fixture in NASA's spacefaring operations. Yet, as with many space missions, the plan didn't unfold as expected. Now, nearly two months later, Wilmore and Williams find themselves indefinitely stranded in orbit, with the very real possibility of spending Christmas and New Year 2025 far above the Earth.

 

The trouble began as the Starliner approached the ISS. The spacecraft, which marked Boeing's first manned mission, encountered several technical issues, including leaks in its propulsion system and the unexpected shutdown of some of its thrusters. Although the astronauts managed to reach the ISS safely, these problems cast doubt on the Starliner's ability to safely return them to Earth. The mission's objectives shifted from a swift return to a prolonged stay as NASA grappled with finding a safe way to bring Wilmore, 61, and Williams, 58, back home.

 

At a news briefing, NASA officials acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding the astronauts' return. "Our prime option is to return Butch and Suni on Starliner," stated Steve Stich, the manager of NASA's Commercial Crew Program. However, he also emphasized that NASA was preparing alternative plans. One such option involves keeping the astronauts aboard the ISS until February 2025, when they could hitch a ride back to Earth with a SpaceX Crew Dragon craft. Initially, this upcoming mission was planned to carry four crew members, but NASA is considering leaving two seats empty to accommodate Wilmore and Williams.

 

If this plan is enacted, the astronauts' brief eight-day mission will have turned into an eight-month-long stay. During this extended period, the Starliner would return to Earth uncrewed, operated solely by computers. The decision, which could be made within the coming weeks, would represent a significant setback for Boeing, which has struggled to keep pace with SpaceX in the race to provide reliable commercial spaceflight services.

 

Ken Bowersox, NASA's director of space operations, suggested that an uncrewed return of the Starliner was becoming increasingly likely. "The chances of an uncrewed return of the Starliner have increased a little bit based on where things have gone over the last week or two," Bowersox explained, noting that NASA was scrutinizing this option more closely to ensure it could be executed safely.

 

This potential reliance on a SpaceX craft to bring the astronauts home highlights the ongoing competition between Boeing and SpaceX. While Boeing's Starliner was intended to be a key player in NASA's commercial crew program, it has faced numerous delays and challenges, whereas SpaceX's Crew Dragon has been operational and certified for NASA missions since 2020. Just recently, NASA used a SpaceX rocket to deliver additional food and supplies to the ISS, including extra clothing for Wilmore and Williams in anticipation of their extended stay.

 

Despite the unexpected circumstances, both astronauts have remained optimistic. During a recent briefing, Williams expressed confidence in the Starliner and the mission's ultimate success. "We’re absolutely confident in the return trip, and Starliner is truly impressive," she said. This mission marks Williams' third stint aboard the ISS. A retired Navy helicopter pilot, she is no stranger to the challenges of space travel. Wilmore, a former fighter jet pilot, is also an experienced astronaut, having been to space twice before.

 

"We've been thoroughly busy up here, integrated right into the crew," Williams shared in a recent interview. "It feels like coming back home. It feels good to float around. It feels good to be in space and work up here with the International Space Station team. So yeah, it’s great to be up here."

 

While the current situation is far from what Wilmore and Williams had initially anticipated, it is not without precedent. Other astronauts have spent much longer periods in space. In the mid-1990s, Russian cosmonaut Valeri Polyakov set a record by spending 437 consecutive days aboard the Mir space station. More recently, American astronaut Frank Rubio returned from the ISS after 371 days, the longest continuous spaceflight by an American. Additionally, Russia's Oleg Kononenko, who is currently aboard the ISS, has accumulated over 1,000 days in space over the course of his career.

 

 

Credit: BBC  2024-08-10

 

 

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[thaibeachlovers]

 

 

Problem with extended stays in space is apparently that the body ( bones? ) degrades under zero gravity.

 

Another thing to thank Obama for, not, as he cancelled Constellation. The least he should have done was wait till a proven alternative was in effect instead of relying on the Russians.

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8489097.stm

The decision to cancel Constellation was immediately condemned by Congressional figures who represent workforces dependent on the programme.

 

[herfiehandbag]

2 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

 

 

Problem with extended stays in space is apparently that the body ( bones? ) degrades under zero gravity.

 

Another thing to thank Obama for, not, as he cancelled Constellation. The least he should have done was wait till a proven alternative was in effect instead of relying on the Russians.

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8489097.stm

The decision to cancel Constellation was immediately condemned by Congressional figures who represent workforces dependent on the programme.

 

Magnificent - you have absolutely surpassed yourself!

 

It is Obama's fault! 

 

 

Edited August 10 by herfiehandbag
Tried to insert laughing emoji - didn't work but thanks ( but no thanks) to the kind offers from grammerly, and the chance ( in French) to buy a rather small swimming pool!

[Ben Zioner]

Sadly she looks too old to have sex with.

[JimHuaHin]

And NASA did/does not have a backup craft to rescue the crew in case of an emergency?

[Tug]

1 hour ago, JimHuaHin said:

And NASA did/does not have a backup craft to rescue the crew in case of an emergency?

Space x at a later date wonder if they are eventually going to have to send the orbiter into a burn up trajectory.bet they could use a change of clothes yikes 

[stoner]

1 hour ago, Ben Zioner said:

Sadly she looks too old to have sex with.

 

ever been stranded indefinitely in space ? me neither :) 0 g booty. 

[Gweiloman]

I’m sure Wilmore and Williams absolutely love the Wolf amendment.

[Tubulat]

5 hours ago, Ben Zioner said:

Sadly she looks too old to have sex with.

Apparently, you are too young to pass judgment on that.

[NativeBob]

Sunita Williams <<< khun Thai? 

She looks like Nikkamundra Kelly, was it coincidence? or some sick joke?

[impulse]

Eight months for an 8 day mission?  I hope they packed extra toilet paper.

 

[thaibeachlovers]

On 8/10/2024 at 12:28 PM, JimHuaHin said:

And NASA did/does not have a backup craft to rescue the crew in case of an emergency?

NASA gave up that when they retired the shuttles without a replacement. Instead they asked the Russians to help them out- how did that work out?

 

Google tells me an escape capsule is part of the station, but I guess it's not serious enough to be used.

[parallelman]

There are at present, no lack of supplies to the ISS so that isn't an issue...well at least that's we are told. However, this latest bit of 'overcrowding' is something that cannot continue indefinitely. At some point someone is going to have to decide if Starliner should return/be released empty and then proceed with a 'rescue mission'. but NASA has another problem. It is necessary there be two private companies to serve the ISS so that if one has a problem (such as supplies to the ISS) the other can step in. If Starliner was discontinued what company could replace it?

(strictly speaking, the astronauts are not in zero gravity but in contuous 'free fall' around the planet. The distance of ISS from Earth means that it experiences about 89% of the gravitation force that we experience on the surface so the ISS has to create another force to maintain free-fall and counter the accelaration of gravity. Since the direction from a 'straight line' is changing continuosly the ISS has accelaration and not velocity. The opposing forces mimic 'zero' or 'microgravity'. Not a good idea for human beings to be in that environment for an indefimite period as bone loses strength (and mass) at something like 1% per month and not all of that loss is regained after returning to Earth. Would a trip to the planet Mars have the same effect of worse? Travelling away from the influence of Earth's gravity would indeed mean the craft and astronauts would experince a true weightlessness situation and not a simulated one.)

[FinChin67]

Boeing Starliner could be junk and stuck at the Space Station permanently.

NASA has lost confidence in the safety of the Starliner due to leaks and won't allow astronauts to return on it.

But Boeing installed software on Starliner that does not provide for automated undocking. They need a human inside of the Starliner to undock. But the problem is, there would be no way to get the astronaut back on the Space Station, the space suits are too bulky to fit thru the port.

Boeing wants to upload new software while Starliner is in space, but NASA is worried it will fail and then brick Starliner forever, thus blocking one of only two ports where Dragon and others arrive and leave from.

The two astronauts were only supposed to be on the space station for 8 days for this Starliner test flight and have now been there for 2 months. The most likely plan is for their return in February 2025 aboard a Dragon Crew capsule.

This is going to have a massive impact on Boeing's ability to win future contracts from NASA and the US military.  Part of each contract evaluation is past performance and confidence in the management team at Boeing to complete the contract. Starliner is massive negative.

On the bright side, Boeing meets its DEI/ESG quotas.

What would the "they are not stranded" press report if it was SpaceX...

[parallelman]

1 hour ago, FinChin67 said:

Boeing Starliner could be junk and stuck at the Space Station permanently.

NASA has lost confidence in the safety of the Starliner due to leaks and won't allow astronauts to return on it.

But Boeing installed software on Starliner that does not provide for automated undocking. They need a human inside of the Starliner to undock. But the problem is, there would be no way to get the astronaut back on the Space Station, the space suits are too bulky to fit thru the port.

Boeing wants to upload new software while Starliner is in space, but NASA is worried it will fail and then brick Starliner forever, thus blocking one of only two ports where Dragon and others arrive and leave from.

The two astronauts were only supposed to be on the space station for 8 days for this Starliner test flight and have now been there for 2 months. The most likely plan is for their return in February 2025 aboard a Dragon Crew capsule.

This is going to have a massive impact on Boeing's ability to win future contracts from NASA and the US military.  Part of each contract evaluation is past performance and confidence in the management team at Boeing to complete the contract. Starliner is massive negative.

On the bright side, Boeing meets its DEI/ESG quotas.

What would the "they are not stranded" press report if it was SpaceX...

Yes, I suppose some politics are also involved but I am trying not to consider that part of the 'equation'. The other worrying point is that if Starliner doesn't move away from the ISS smoothly the whole lot could be in danger

[Purdey]

Interesting that this comes right after engineers pointed out mistakes in their aircraft construction.

Edited August 11 by Purdey

[stevenl]

Present planning is a February 2025 return. Those 10 days in space are really long.

[ballpoint]

If it's Boeing I'm going!

But not coming back.

[ballpoint]

On 8/10/2024 at 1:03 PM, NativeBob said:

Sunita Williams <<< khun Thai? 

She looks like Nikkamundra Kelly, was it coincidence? or some sick joke?

 

Born in Ohio to Indian parents.

[CallumWK]

Going by all the negative press boeing has got for the last few years, I'm surprised they are still in business and able to take orders for airplanes

[KhunBENQ]

2 hours ago, CallumWK said:

Going by all the negative press boeing has got for the last few years, I'm surprised they are still in business and able to take orders for airplanes

Sheer desperation by the airlines. Order books are full for many years.
Chinese and Indians order planes in the hundreds.

Boeing and Airbus both in a situation where they can NOT go bankrupt.

Both have far reaching significance for the military/defense.

States would have to rescue them for any price.

 

 

Edited August 25 by KhunBENQ
NOT missing

[candide]

8 months. That must be so boring....

[thaibeachlovers]

LOL. Seems it wasn't such a great idea to scrap the successor to the Shuttle and rely on the Russians instead, and we know who made that decision, don't we!

[Emdog]

I wonder if they will be paid overtime?
I see a potential for an updated version of "Gilligans Island"

"A three hour cruise...... a three hour cruise.....

[KhunBENQ]

1 hour ago, Emdog said:

wonder if they will be paid overtime?

Will they miss some schedules like tax filing and be fined 😁