NASA announced on Saturday that Boeing’s Starliner capsule will return from the International Space Station (ISS) without the NASA astronauts it delivered in June. Instead, the astronauts will return via SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft on September 24. The decision marks a significant change for NASA and Boeing, as they had previously stated that Starliner was the preferred choice for returning the crew. However, the crew flight test faced issues with its propulsion system, leading to concerns about safety. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson emphasized the commitment to safety and the need to understand the root causes and design improvements for future use of Starliner.
Boeing officials had previously insisted that Starliner was safe for astronauts to fly home in an emergency, despite the delays in the return. NASA cited a “technical disagreement” between the agency and Boeing regarding risk evaluation. Nonetheless, NASA expressed support for Boeing and expressed confidence that Starliner would be able to launch with a crew in the future.
In the meantime, SpaceX will bring two astronauts on its Crew-9 vehicle instead of the originally planned four, in order to accommodate the returning NASA astronauts. NASA officials unanimously chose SpaceX for the return mission. Lockheed Martin also made news in the space industry by acquiring struggling spacecraft manufacturer Terran Orbital in a $450 million deal.
Boeing’s Starliner capsule, named “Calypso,” has been at the ISS since June, as NASA and the company worked to identify the cause of the propulsion system failure during docking. The thrusters, which are vital for the safe return of the spacecraft, have been cited as an ongoing problem. This setback in the Commercial Crew program not only delays Boeing’s progress but also poses a threat to the company’s future involvement.
Overall, the decision to return the Starliner capsule empty and rely on SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft highlights the importance of safety and the need for thorough testing and evaluation in space missions. The setbacks faced by Boeing emphasize the challenges and complexities of space exploration, as well as the need for continuous improvement and collaboration within the industry.
