NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore arrived at the International Space Station (ISS) on June 6, marking the first crewed trip for the Boeing Starliner spacecraft. However, the mission has been marred by issues with the spacecraft’s thrusters, which are essential for maintaining the correct orientation of the crew capsule and guiding it towards reentry into Earth’s atmosphere.
During the final approach to the ISS, it became apparent that five of the Starliner’s thrusters were not functioning correctly. The agency has also been investigating five helium leaks that occurred on the spacecraft during its journey to the ISS. These issues have raised concerns about the safety and reliability of the Starliner, which is currently docked at the ISS.
Despite the challenges, NASA has reassured the public that the two astronauts are not stranded in space. Steve Stich, manager of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, emphasized that there is no rush to get the pair home, and the plan is to bring them back to Earth on the Starliner. The original mission would have seen Williams and Wilmore spend about a week aboard the station, but their time in orbit is now approaching the four-week mark, with no target date announced for their return.
The Starliner’s thrusters are crucial for its safe return to Earth, and NASA engineers are working to rectify the issues. However, if engineers deem the condition of the Starliner too risky for the astronauts to travel in, it’s possible they could hitch a ride home on a docked Crew Dragon spacecraft operated by SpaceX. Alternatively, they could wait for a SpaceX Crew Dragon to be prepped and sent for them, similar to how a NASA astronaut, Frank Rubio, and two cosmonauts waited for a Russian Soyuz spacecraft after the one they traveled in suffered damage while docked at the ISS.
Boeing’s Starliner Spacecraft Faces Uncertainty After Issues
The uncertainty surrounding the Starliner’s return has raised questions about the reliability of the spacecraft and the agency’s crewed spaceflight program. The Starliner is one of two major commercial crew vehicles being developed by NASA, with the other being the SpaceX Crew Dragon. Both spacecraft are designed to transport astronauts to and from the ISS, as well as other destinations in low-Earth orbit.
The Starliner’s issues have added to the challenges faced by NASA and its partners as they work to establish a sustainable presence in space. The agency has made significant progress in recent years, with the successful launch and deployment of multiple spacecraft, including the Orion spacecraft and the Space Launch System (SLS) heavy-lift rocket. However, the Starliner’s issues have highlighted the importance of continued investment in space technology and the need for rigorous testing and evaluation to ensure the safety and reliability of spacecraft.
As the investigation into the Starliner’s issues continues, NASA is working to determine the cause of the thruster malfunctions and develop a plan for the spacecraft’s safe and successful return. The agency is also working with its partners to develop a contingency plan in case the Starliner is unable to return to Earth. While the Starliner’s issues have caused delays and uncertainty, NASA remains committed to its goal of establishing a sustainable presence in space and continuing to push the boundaries of human exploration.
