NASA WEIGHS STARLINER’S FATE: WILL ASTRONAUTS RETURN VIA SPACEX?

Fri 23 August 2024:

NASA announced that it will decide by Saturday whether the two astronauts who flew Boeing’s troubled Starliner spacecraft to the International Space Station (ISS) will return to Earth using a SpaceX vehicle.

Starliner’s Journey: A Test Mission Turned Marathon

Initially planned as an eight-day mission to test Starliner’s capabilities before NASA approval for regular flights, the mission has now stretched on for months due to leaks and thruster failures. The situation has left NASA in a difficult position as it evaluates new safety data from Boeing, which is working to assure the agency of the spacecraft’s readiness.

Should NASA opt against using Starliner for the return, the agency has a backup plan to send the astronauts—veterans Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams—back to Earth on a future SpaceX Crew Dragon mission, scheduled to conclude in February 2025. If this happens, Starliner would return to Earth empty.

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Decision Day Approaches: High Stakes for Boeing

The upcoming decision is critical for Boeing, which has faced significant challenges with the Starliner program, including multiple mission setbacks since 2019. With $1.6 billion in losses already recorded, Boeing is under pressure to demonstrate that Starliner is safe and reliable for future manned missions.

NASA is carefully assessing the situation, balancing the new data against its low tolerance for risk. If Starliner is deemed safe, the astronauts could return within the next month, freeing up the ISS docking port for the upcoming SpaceX mission. Otherwise, the mission’s conclusion will be delayed until February 2025, marking another significant milestone in the Starliner saga.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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