NASA Weighs SpaceX for Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore’s Safe Return Amid Boeing Troubles

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NASA is preparing a backup plan to ensure astronauts Barry “Butch” Wilmore and Sunita “Suni” Williams return safely to Earth. They were initially launched to space aboard Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner spacecraft. The astronauts have been aboard the International Space Station (ISS) since June 6, 2024.

Due to technical issues with the Starliner, NASA is now considering an alternative plan. If Boeing’s Starliner is deemed unsafe, SpaceX’s Crew-9 mission could return the astronauts in February 2025. This would be a critical decision as it would underscore NASA’s reliance on SpaceX for astronaut transportation.

Boeing’s Starliner has encountered significant technical difficulties. These issues include helium leaks and thrusters that failed during docking with the ISS. The current mission is Boeing’s critical test to determine the spacecraft’s safety for regular astronaut missions.

NASA officials have been conducting rigorous tests on Starliner while it remains docked at the ISS. They aim to understand the cause of the thruster failures. Ground tests indicated that overheating of Teflon seals might be the cause. However, uncertainty remains, leading to differing opinions within NASA on the spacecraft’s safety for re-entry.

The decision on whether to use the Crew-9 mission for the astronauts’ return is expected by mid-August 2024. NASA’s Associate Administrator Jim Free or the agency’s top official Bill Nelson will make the final call. If Starliner is deemed unsafe, it would return to Earth uncrewed before the Crew-9 launch.

This potential shift to SpaceX highlights the ongoing challenges faced by Boeing’s Starliner program. The program has experienced delays and technical setbacks since its inception. The current flight was delayed by seven years and has cost Boeing an additional $1.6 billion.

NASA and Boeing will continue to analyze data and update Starliner’s software. They aim to explore all options for bringing the astronauts home safely. NASA’s propulsion experts are involved in these efforts to ensure no detail is overlooked.

As the final decision approaches, NASA’s focus remains on astronaut safety. Whether Starliner or SpaceX is used, the goal is to ensure a safe and successful return for Wilmore and Williams.