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NASA has officially decided that the safety of two astronauts currently aboard the International Space Station (ISS) lies with SpaceX after an extensive evaluation amid significant safety concerns. The announcement was made by NASA Administrator Bill Nelson during a press event at the Johnson Space Center in Houston.
The astronauts, Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore, have been on the ISS for over 11 weeks, with their mission initially planned for just eight days.
The situation escalated when five out of the 28 thrusters on Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft failed during its journey to the ISS back in June, alongside a helium system leak. Since then, mission controllers have been engaged in troubleshooting and testing issues in hopes of ensuring the astronauts’ safe return.
On the day of the announcement, NASA leadership convened to assess whether Williams and Wilmore could safely return to Earth aboard the Starliner or whether to utilize SpaceX’s Crew Dragon as an alternative. Nelson remarked, “Boeing has been diligent in providing data for this decision. We aim to understand the underlying causes and implement design improvements for Starliner to be a reliable option for crew missions to the ISS.”
Nelson also relayed a conversation with Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg, affirming that Boeing would persist in resolving the Starliner issues. A NASA official previously indicated during a July press event that utilizing SpaceX as a backup for the astronauts’ extraction was among the possible solutions, though specifics were not disclosed at that time.
NASA has confirmed its plan to use SpaceX for the mission, delaying the next SpaceX launch to September 24. This rescheduling allows for Wilmore and Williams to fly back with a SpaceX crew in February, which marks an adjustment of around eight months from their initial return timeline.
However, this alternative plan does not come without its challenges. The astronauts arrived in spacesuits designed for the Starliner, while the Crew Dragon necessitates them to travel without these suits, raising concerns regarding their protection during re-entry.
This decision by NASA represents a significant moment in terms of safety protocols, reminiscent of historical incidents like the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster that claimed the lives of seven astronauts. Many involved in the Starliner mission hold vivid memories of that tragedy, emphasizing the weight of their current responsibilities.
Russ DeLoach, chief of NASA’s Office of Safety and Mission Assurance, underscored the importance of addressing organizational silence in decision-making processes, recalling that critical information was sometimes overlooked in past disasters like the Challenger and Columbia incidents.
During the discussion, Nelson openly acknowledged NASA’s previous mistakes, stating, “Space flight is inherently risky, with even the most routine missions providing no guarantee of safety. The decision to keep Butch and Suni aboard the ISS while returning the Starliner uncrewed reflects our unwavering commitment to safety.”
Nasa’s investment in the development of Starliner has reached $4.2 billion as part of its Commercial Crew Program. This initiative aims to provide the agency with multiple domestic options for human spaceflight, reducing reliance on Russian Soyuz vehicles.
The primary objective of the Starliner mission was to demonstrate its capability to safely transport astronauts to and from the ISS. The setbacks experienced represent a significant challenge for Boeing’s space endeavors, but NASA’s recent comments suggest they remain committed to continuing their partnership with the company.
Over the past decade, both Boeing and SpaceX have invested considerable effort into developing their respective spacecraft in cooperation with NASA. Although NASA had maintained that this program shouldn’t be viewed as a race, SpaceX’s success with its crewed test flights has highlighted its efficiency, accomplishing milestones at a notably lower cost, reportedly $2.6 billion compared to Boeing’s expenditures.
After navigating several delays and technical difficulties, this Crew Flight Test presented a pivotal moment for Boeing in its journey to achieving NASA certification for human spaceflight aboard the Starliner.
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