NASA to make decision on return route for Starliner astronauts by end of month
NASA is set to finalize the return route for the Starliner astronauts by the end of the month.
TroibNews 
NASA is currently facing a decision about how to return two astronauts from the International Space Station (ISS) by the end of August, either using Boeing's Starliner or a SpaceX craft, agency officials announced on Wednesday.
Astronauts Barry "Butch" Wilmore and Sunita "Suni" Williams had initially taken off for the ISS aboard the Starliner on June 5, anticipating an eight-day mission.
However, their return has been postponed due to issues with the spacecraft's thrusters that surfaced during its first manned flight to the ISS.
During a Wednesday press conference, NASA officials disclosed that they are still assessing the thruster data, but the choice between continuing with Starliner or switching to a SpaceX vehicle is imminent. "We're reaching a point where that last week in August, we really should be making a call, if not sooner," Ken Bowersox, associate administrator of NASA's Space Operations Mission Directorate, remarked.
Bowersox explained that Wilmore and Williams are coping well with the extended duration on the ISS, "but I'm sure they're eager for a decision, just like the rest of us."
The primary concern is ensuring the success of the deorbit burn needed for their return, as noted by Bowersox, who also highlighted "very honest discussions" with Boeing, affirming their full support for the Starliner.
Should the decision sway away from using the Starliner, SpaceX could adapt its planned Crew-9 mission on September 24 to carry fewer astronauts, making room for Wilmore and Williams to return in February 2025 using the Crew Dragon capsule, which would significantly affect Boeing's space endeavors.
"Might not be perfect," noted NASA chief astronaut Joe Acaba, mentioning the astronauts were aware of the trial nature of their mission. "Human space flight is inherently risky and as astronauts we accept that as part of the job," he added, confirming the astronauts are in good spirits.
Discussing potential emergencies, Bowersox pointed out that the Starliner could still securely transport Wilmore and Williams if needed. "We think the risk is reasonable to put Butch and Suni on that vehicle in a contingency," he stated.
In an alternate emergency scenario where Starliner needs to return unmanned, the four-person SpaceX Dragon currently at the ISS could be utilized, although it would mean Wilmore and Williams traveling without suits. According to Joel Montalbano, they would receive suits when Crew-9 arrives.
Switching to SpaceX for the astronauts' return would highlight a significant challenge for Boeing, which, along with SpaceX, was selected in a multibillion-dollar agreement in 2014 to ferry U.S. astronauts to and from the ISS after the retirement of the space shuttle program.
Since its first successful crewed test in 2020, SpaceX has launched numerous astronauts, continuing to build its track record in space missions.
Rohan Mehta for TROIB News
Astronauts Barry "Butch" Wilmore and Sunita "Suni" Williams had initially taken off for the ISS aboard the Starliner on June 5, anticipating an eight-day mission.
However, their return has been postponed due to issues with the spacecraft's thrusters that surfaced during its first manned flight to the ISS.
During a Wednesday press conference, NASA officials disclosed that they are still assessing the thruster data, but the choice between continuing with Starliner or switching to a SpaceX vehicle is imminent. "We're reaching a point where that last week in August, we really should be making a call, if not sooner," Ken Bowersox, associate administrator of NASA's Space Operations Mission Directorate, remarked.
Bowersox explained that Wilmore and Williams are coping well with the extended duration on the ISS, "but I'm sure they're eager for a decision, just like the rest of us."
The primary concern is ensuring the success of the deorbit burn needed for their return, as noted by Bowersox, who also highlighted "very honest discussions" with Boeing, affirming their full support for the Starliner.
Should the decision sway away from using the Starliner, SpaceX could adapt its planned Crew-9 mission on September 24 to carry fewer astronauts, making room for Wilmore and Williams to return in February 2025 using the Crew Dragon capsule, which would significantly affect Boeing's space endeavors.
"Might not be perfect," noted NASA chief astronaut Joe Acaba, mentioning the astronauts were aware of the trial nature of their mission. "Human space flight is inherently risky and as astronauts we accept that as part of the job," he added, confirming the astronauts are in good spirits.
Discussing potential emergencies, Bowersox pointed out that the Starliner could still securely transport Wilmore and Williams if needed. "We think the risk is reasonable to put Butch and Suni on that vehicle in a contingency," he stated.
In an alternate emergency scenario where Starliner needs to return unmanned, the four-person SpaceX Dragon currently at the ISS could be utilized, although it would mean Wilmore and Williams traveling without suits. According to Joel Montalbano, they would receive suits when Crew-9 arrives.
Switching to SpaceX for the astronauts' return would highlight a significant challenge for Boeing, which, along with SpaceX, was selected in a multibillion-dollar agreement in 2014 to ferry U.S. astronauts to and from the ISS after the retirement of the space shuttle program.
Since its first successful crewed test in 2020, SpaceX has launched numerous astronauts, continuing to build its track record in space missions.
Rohan Mehta for TROIB News
