Astronauts Wilmore and Williams to Return from International Space Station on SpaceX Crew 9

Astronauts Barry “Butch” Wilmore and Sunita “Suni” Williams, who embarked on Boeing’s Starliner to the International Space Station (ISS) in June, will now have to return on a different spacecraft. NASA officials announced on Saturday that the two astronauts will come back on SpaceX’s crew 9 mission in February 2025. The decision to keep Wilmore and Williams on the ISS and bring the Boeing Starliner home uncrewed is primarily driven by safety concerns.

NASA administrator Bill Nelson emphasized the commitment to safety during a news conference. The delay in their return is due to multiple issues and risks associated with the Starliner’s thrusters. Steve Stich, program manager for NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, stated that NASA spent the entire summer assessing the data on Starliner and concluded that there was too much risk for the crew.

Boeing, the manufacturer of Starliner, prioritizes the safety of the crew and spacecraft. The company is working closely with NASA and preparing the spacecraft for a safe and successful uncrewed return. Meanwhile, Wilmore and Williams will continue to assist with science experiments, maintenance, and potentially even spacewalks during their extended stay on the ISS.

To accommodate Wilmore and Williams on the return trip, SpaceX’s Dragon Crew-9 mission will launch with only two of the four assigned astronauts. Extra spacesuits will be provided for their journey back. The reason behind this decision is that the Starliner currently lacks the capability to autonomously undock from the ISS. To address this, updates to the Starliner’s software and additional training for the Boeing flight control team are required.

The Starliner is part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, which aims to certify Boeing’s spacecraft for routine missions to and from the ISS. However, the Starliner has faced several issues even before its launch. Problems with an oxygen valve on a rocket from United Launch Alliance caused the initial launch date to be postponed. Subsequently, a small helium leak was discovered in the service module, and later, helium leaks and a thruster issue threatened to delay the docking of the Starliner to the ISS.

To ensure the spacecraft’s readiness for undocking, ground tests were conducted at NASA’s White Sands Test Facility. The crew has experienced a range of emotions throughout these challenges and changes to the mission. Despite the setbacks, Boeing remains committed to finding solutions and flying the Starliner again.

While the extended stay of Wilmore and Williams creates hardships for their families, it is a known risk in astronaut families, including the possibility of extended stays on the space station. Norm Knight, NASA’s director of flight operations directorate, expressed gratitude to the families for their support and understanding during this time.

In conclusion, the decision to have Wilmore and Williams return on SpaceX’s crew 9 mission instead of the Starliner is driven by safety concerns regarding the Starliner’s thrusters. NASA and Boeing are prioritizing crew safety and are working together to ensure a successful uncrewed return of the Starliner. The extended stay of the astronauts on the ISS allows them to continue contributing to research and other responsibilities. Despite the challenges faced, Boeing remains committed to addressing the issues and flying the Starliner again in the future.