NASA to Decide on Stranded Astronauts' Return by Next Week

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Facts

  • NASA expects, before the end of next week, to make a final decision on whether Boeing's Starliner capsule will bring astronauts Barry Wilmore and Sunita Williams back to Earth from the International Space Station (ISS).[1]
  • Ken Bowersox, the associate administrator for NASA's space operations mission directorate, said Wednesday that NASA has 'time available' to bring Wilmore and Williams home and wants to 'use that time wisely.'[2]
  • Wilmore and Williams, who took off on Starliner's first crewed flight on June 5 for an eight-day stay at ISS, have been stranded there for over two months so far due to the Starliner's thrusters malfunctioning.[3]
  • NASA didn't provide any information on Boeing's spacecraft, which had leaked helium and faced propulsion issues while docking at the ISS on June 6.[4]
  • The space agency is mulling whether to send the Starliner capsule back to Earth empty and fly back the astronauts on SpaceX's next flight in February 2025.[5]
  • NASA chief astronaut Joe Acaba said that Wilmore and Williams knew in advance that it was a test flight and that the mission 'might not be perfect.'[6]

Sources: [1]CBS, [2]New York Times, [3]Al Jazeera, [4]NBC, [5]Washington Post and [6]NDTV.com.

Narratives

  • Narrative A, as provided by The Hill. NASA faces a serious crisis with the Boeing Starliner, a spacecraft plagued by numerous malfunctions. Combined with SpaceX's recent Falcon 9 failures, it has badly dented NASA's public reputation. With limited alternatives and no quick fixes, NASA must navigate a precarious situation that could jeopardize its long-term access to low Earth orbit.
  • Narrative B, as provided by Associated Press. The NASA Starliner crisis isn't as dire as it's made out to be. The astronauts are safe aboard the ISS, with ample supplies and even work to keep them busy. NASA has backup plans, including using SpaceX's Dragon for their return if necessary. While Starliner's issues are concerning, NASA's dual-provider strategy ensures that missions can continue despite setbacks.

Predictions