Urgency Mounts for NASA and Boeing to Return Starliner Crew from ISS

I still think it will take Elon Musk to come to the rescue. Perhaps in the coming days he will offer a plan to help the stranded astronauts.

Boeing’s Starliner capsule remains docked at the International Space Station (ISS) as NASA and Boeing face increasing urgency to bring the capsule and its crew back to Earth.

We remain confident in #Starliner and its ability to safely return to Earth with crew based on an abundance of testing conducted by our teams and @NASA in space and on the ground.

Find an extensive list of testing at: https://t.co/EeyAFier63 pic.twitter.com/dEsObZutYr

— Boeing Space (@BoeingSpace) August 3, 2024

After numerous prelaunch issues, Starliner embarked on its first crewed test mission on June 5, launching from Cape Canaveral with astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams aboard. Initially, the mission was planned to last around eight days, but complications have extended their stay to eight weeks. During this period, helium leaks were detected in Starliner’s service module, and issues with the spacecraft’s thrusters complicated the initial docking attempt.

Experts caution against calling the crew “stranded,” but the situation is pressing. NASA needs to resolve this before a scheduled SpaceX mission on August 18 can proceed.

The problem lies in docking availability. The ISS has six docking ports: four on the Russian side and two on the U.S. side. Currently, SpaceX’s Crew Dragon Endeavor occupies one U.S. dock while Starliner occupies the other. With the Endeavor not set to return to Earth until fall, one of these spacecraft needs to vacate its docking spot before the Crew Dragon Freedom mission can commence.

NASA says it is “evaluating all options” for the safe return of Starliner crew | ArsTechnica

SpaceX is actively working on a plan to fly Starliner’s crew home.

It has now been eight weeks since Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft launched into orbit on an Atlas V rocket, bound for… pic.twitter.com/atR21tvDEH

— Owen Gregorian (@OwenGregorian) August 2, 2024

Borrowing a docking spot from the Russian segment is not a viable solution due to incompatible technology. Therefore, either Starliner or Endeavor must depart the ISS before the next Crew Dragon mission can proceed.

NASA and Boeing have reiterated their intention for the crew to return on Starliner. They are conducting tests to ensure the spacecraft has sufficient power for the thrusters to execute the necessary maneuvers for reentry. A complicating factor is that Starliner’s service module will burn up upon reentry, necessitating that engineers collect all necessary data before departure.

Meanwhile, there are signs that NASA might consider returning Williams and Wilmore via a SpaceX Dragon capsule. Such a decision would be another setback for Boeing in an already challenging year. According to Ars Technica, sources suggest there is a 50% or greater chance the crew might return on a SpaceX craft, though it is unclear whether this would be the Endeavor or another Dragon capsule sent to retrieve the astronauts.

Boeing has posted a mission update on Starliner.
“Boeing remains confident in the Starliner spacecraft and its ability to return safely with crew.”https://t.co/XKhnJLzkCf@NASASpaceflight pic.twitter.com/Vr04KW3CKz

— Kevin Michael Reed (@kmreed) August 3, 2024

In the meantime, Wilmore and Williams are assisting the ISS crew with their tasks. NASA is expected to provide more details about their return in the coming weeks. TO be stuck in zero-gravity is taking its toll on their health, and they undoubtably can’t wait to return to Earth.

Major Points:

Al Santana – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News