Elon Musk's SpaceX to Return Nasa's Stranded Astronauts Next Year

Social Media · August 25

Two NASA astronauts, initially slated for a routine return to Earth, are now set to journey home aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft early next year. This decision comes after a series of malfunctions plagued the Boeing Starliner, the spacecraft that was supposed to bring them back. Commander Barry “Butch” Wilmore and pilot Sunita “Suni” Williams, both seasoned former military test pilots, found themselves in an unexpected predicament after becoming the first crew to ride the Starliner to the International Space Station (ISS) on June 5. Their mission, originally planned as an eight-day test, has now turned into an extended stay due to the technical challenges Starliner faced during its journey.

The issues with Starliner began almost immediately after launch. Within the first 24 hours of the flight, the propulsion system of the spacecraft experienced several glitches that led to months of delays. The situation worsened as five of the 28 thrusters failed, and the spacecraft also suffered from helium leaks, a critical issue since helium is used to pressurize the thrusters. These malfunctions raised significant concerns about the spacecraft's safety and reliability, prompting NASA to reconsider its original plan.

In a highly unusual move for NASA, the two astronauts are now scheduled to return to Earth in February 2025 aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon. This spacecraft is set to launch next month as part of a routine astronaut rotation mission, and NASA has deemed it a safer option for bringing Wilmore and Williams back home. The decision to switch to SpaceX, Boeing's main competitor in spaceflight, is one of NASA’s most significant and consequential in recent years.

The implications for Boeing are profound. The company had pinned its hopes on the Starliner mission as a way to redeem the program after years of development issues and over $1.6 billion in budget overruns since 2016. Boeing, already dealing with quality issues in the production of its commercial airplanes, now faces additional challenges in its space division.

The Crew Dragon spacecraft that will bring the astronauts home will have two of its four seats reserved for Wilmore and Williams. The Starliner, on the other hand, will attempt to undock from the ISS without a crew and return to Earth as originally intended. This uncrewed return will be a crucial test for the spacecraft, which has struggled to prove its reliability.

Boeing's efforts to develop the Starliner have been fraught with difficulties. The capsule, designed to compete with SpaceX's Crew Dragon, has had a troubled history. In 2019, an uncrewed test flight to the ISS ended in failure, although a 2022 reattempt was more successful, albeit not without its own issues, including further thruster problems. The June mission, which carried its first crew, was supposed to pave the way for NASA to certify Starliner for regular flights. However, the recent setbacks have thrown the capsule's certification process into disarray.

Since Starliner docked with the ISS in June, Boeing has been working tirelessly to determine the causes of the thruster failures and helium leaks. The company has conducted extensive tests and simulations on Earth in an attempt to convince NASA that Starliner is still a viable option for human spaceflight. Despite these efforts, the results have raised more questions than answers, and NASA's confidence in the spacecraft's ability to safely return its crew to Earth has been shaken.

NASA's decision to opt for the SpaceX Crew Dragon instead of the Starliner is a significant blow to Boeing. It also adds to the growing list of crises facing Kelly Ortberg, Boeing's newly appointed CEO, who took on the role earlier this month. Ortberg's primary goal is to rebuild Boeing’s reputation, which has been severely tarnished by recent events, including a dramatic incident in January when a door panel blew off a 737 MAX passenger jet in midair.

The path forward for Starliner remains uncertain. While the spacecraft will still attempt an uncrewed return to Earth, the future of its certification for crewed missions is now in doubt. Boeing will need to address the engineering challenges that have plagued the program and restore confidence in its ability to safely carry astronauts. Meanwhile, NASA's decision to rely on SpaceX for the safe return of its astronauts highlights the growing importance of the Crew Dragon spacecraft in the agency's human spaceflight program.

As the two astronauts prepare for their return to Earth, their journey underscores the inherent risks and challenges of space exploration. The lessons learned from the Starliner mission will undoubtedly shape the future of NASA's partnerships with private companies and the ongoing efforts to push the boundaries of human spaceflight.

Credit: Daily Telegraph 2024-08-26

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parallelman · August 26

This is not good for anyone involved. If Boeing did drop out because of development problems it might affect contingency/backup plans that are necessary in such ventures. I can't imagine that Musk welcomes this because it places extra pressure on his own programmes. I hope all turns out well and the astrounauts return safely.