Boeing made a surprising announcement recently that their Starliner capsule will be returning from the International Space Station (ISS) without the NASA astronauts that it delivered in early June. This unexpected decision has now led NASA to make arrangements for astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams to return via SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft, which is scheduled to launch its ninth regular mission to the ISS on September 24th. The original plan was for Wilmore and Williams to remain at the ISS for about six more months, before flying home in February on SpaceX’s Crew-9 vehicle.
The Decision to Bring Starliner Back Empty
The decision to bring back the Starliner capsule from the ISS empty comes as a dramatic reversal for NASA and Boeing, as they had previously insisted that the capsule was the preferred choice for returning the crew. However, issues arose during Starliner’s crew flight test, particularly with its propulsion system, which led to multiple delays and ultimately the decision to return the capsule without astronauts. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson stated during a press conference that Boeing had worked closely with NASA to gather the necessary data before making this decision.
NASA’s Commitment to Safety
Nelson emphasized that safety is always the top priority, and that test flights are not without risks. The decision to bring back the Starliner empty was made in the interest of safety, as NASA and Boeing work to understand the root causes of the issues faced during the test flight. Despite the setbacks, Nelson expressed confidence in Boeing’s ability to address the problems and prepare the Starliner for future crewed missions.
NASA stated that there was a “technical disagreement” between the agency and Boeing regarding the risks associated with returning the crew on the Starliner. This difference in evaluation led NASA to choose SpaceX to bring the astronauts back home, with Wilmore and Williams slated to return on the Crew-9 vehicle. The decision was made unanimously by NASA officials, who believe that SpaceX is better equipped to ensure a safe return for the astronauts.
Boeing’s Starliner capsule, named “Calypso,” has been at the ISS since early June, while NASA and the company work to address the issues with its propulsion system. The ongoing problems with the thrusters have posed challenges for Starliner’s safe return from the ISS, and have delayed Boeing’s progress in NASA’s Commercial Crew program. With significant losses already incurred, Boeing’s future involvement in the program remains uncertain.
The return of Boeing’s Starliner capsule from the ISS without astronauts marks a significant setback for both Boeing and NASA. The decision to bring the capsule back empty underscores the importance of prioritizing safety in all space missions. As NASA continues to work with Boeing to address the issues with the Starliner, SpaceX stands ready to support the agency in bringing the astronauts back home safely. Despite the challenges faced during the test flight, both NASA and Boeing remain committed to ensuring the success of future crewed missions to the ISS.
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