Boeing Starliner Astronauts Could Remain on ISS Until 2025

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Facts

  • After thruster problems left two Boeing Starliner astronauts — Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore — stranded at the International Space Station (ISS), NASA said on Wednesday that the return of the pair may not take place until early 2025.[1]
  • As the Starliner approached the ISS in June, it reportedly suffered loss of thruster power and helium leakage, affecting the propulsion system's pressurization. A NASA administrator has said that returning the astronauts on their Starliner remains the 'prime option,' as inquiries into the failure continue.[2]
  • On Wednesday, NASA revealed back-up plans that would see the pair return to Earth on SpaceX's Crew-9 mission in February 2025 after it launches this September, while the docked Starliner would return unmanned. A final decision will be made later this month.[3][2]
  • The mission with Williams and Wilmore arrived at the ISS on June 6 for what was initially intended to be a roughly 10 day visit. The Starliner had previously experienced thruster issues when it made its first uncrewed docking at the ISS in 2022.[4]
  • The Crew-9 mission was slated to launch this month, but was delayed to give NASA time to make a decision. If used to return Williams and Wilmore, it will arrive with only two out of a planned four astronauts on board. The Starliner must vacate the docking station after 90 days.[5]
  • Tests have revealed that high temperatures can cause a Teflon seal used on the Starliner to deform. Of the 28 thrusters aboard the ISS, five are reportedly in need of repair.[1]

Sources: [1]UPI, [2]Phys, [3]Wsj, [4]Space.com and [5]Guardian.

Narratives

  • Narrative A, as provided by Reuters. This is another embarrassing incident for Boeing, as its extraterrestrial dreams fail to come to fruition. The Starliner incurred billions of dollars in unplanned expenses, has been fraught with technical issues, and is operating well behind schedule. As the company faces multiple crises regarding its manufacturing, SpaceX and other entities remain undefeated in private space travel.
  • Narrative B, as provided by The Hill. The Starliner saga is a roadbump on the path to better space policy in the US. NASA would have to rely on Russia to transport astronauts if it were not for both SpaceX and Boeing, and fixed-cost contracts kept taxpayers off the hook for cost overruns at both firms. NASA has made able use of the private sector's innovation to deliver great successes, regardless of the unrepresentative outcome here.

Predictions