Boeing Astronauts Who Had ‘Faulty’ Will Finally Return Aboard SpaceX Spaceship

Astronauts Butch Wilmore (left) and Suni Williams (right) on the International Space Station (ISS). They arrived at the ISS in June aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft, but have been stuck on the ISS for about 80 days due to a malfunction in the fuselage. They are scheduled to return to Earth in February aboard SpaceX’s spacecraft. Courtesy of NASA

Two astronauts who were sent to the International Space Station (ISS) aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft in June but were unable to return to Earth due to a malfunction in the spacecraft will finally return aboard a SpaceX spacecraft in February next year.

On the 24th (local time), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) held a press conference at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, USA, and announced that Butch Wilmore (61) and Suni Williams (58), who boarded the Starliner, would return on SpaceX’s manned spacecraft ‘Crew Dragon’. NASA announced that after discussing it with Boeing executives that morning, NASA officials unanimously chose to use Crew Dragon for the return of the two astronauts. Boeing also stated that it “respects NASA’s choice.”

Starliner successfully docked with the ISS on June 6 (local time), but during the flight, five of its 28 thrusters failed, and helium, which acts as a pressure regulator, leaked. Boeing has taken steps to resolve the defects, and NASA has also expressed its intention to return the two astronauts on a Starliner that has been confirmed to be safe. However, it has concluded that it will take longer to resolve the defects than initially expected, and that “a higher level of certainty (safety) is needed for a manned return.”

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) held a press conference at NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston, USA on the 24th (local time) and announced that two astronauts who are staying at the International Space Station (ISS) due to a defect in the fuselage of Boeing’s manned spacecraft ‘Starliner’ will return to Earth in February next year using a SpaceX spacecraft. Provided by NASA

Wilmore and Williams are scheduled to return to Earth aboard the Crew Dragon, which will depart for its ISS mission next month. NASA sends four astronauts to the ISS every six months to conduct scientific experiments. Crew Dragon has been on the ISS mission since 2020, and this is its ninth mission.

The total number of crew members that can board Crew Dragon is four, and considering the seats of Wilmore and Williams, only two astronauts will be on board this mission. It is scheduled to launch as early as September 24th, and after completing the six-month mission, it is scheduled to return to Earth in February of next year. Starliner, which is currently docked to the ISS, is scheduled to detach from the ISS and re-enter Earth without astronauts in September.

However, NASA said this decision does not mean that Starliner will be ruled out of ISS missions. Originally, NASA planned to use Starliner along with Crew Dragon for ISS missions if the crewed return is successful. “Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg has expressed a willingness to continue troubleshooting even after Starliner’s safe return,” NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said. “We are confident that Boeing will continue the Starliner program.”

Reporter Choi Ji-won [email protected]

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2024-08-26 05:45:31