Astronauts stuck in space given horrifying news: Starliner’s troubles continue

Stranded NASA astronauts were given horrifying news after their trip to space turned into a nightmare effort to get them home.

What was intended as a week long trip to the International Space Station (ISS) for the first NASA astronauts flying with Boeing might now extend to eight months.

This potential delay arises from the astronauts, Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, being stranded in space for over 60 days due to technical issues with Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft.

NASA’s Boeing Crew Flight Test astronauts (from top) Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams inside the vestibule. Picture: AFP

A decision on whether to continue with Boeing’s troubled Starliner — which experienced serious propulsion issues and helium leaks on its June mission to the orbital platform — is expected later this month, according to officials on a recent call with reporters.

NASA has acknowledged that the astronauts may need to be rescued by SpaceX’s Crew Dragon, although this spacecraft won’t be ready until February 2025.

NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore (R) and Suni Williams, wearing Boeing spacesuits. Picture: AFP

Boeing’s confidence in Starliner’s return

This news follows Boeing’s blog update on August 2, in which the company expressed confidence in the Starliner’s ability to return safely. This confidence was reiterated in a tweet on August 3: “We remain confident in Starliner and its ability to safely return to Earth with crew based on extensive testing by our teams and NASA.”

Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft is pictured docked to the Harmony module. Picture: NASA

SpaceX’s role in potential rescue mission

Meanwhile, detailed planning is underway with SpaceX — owned by Elon Musk — to potentially launch their scheduled Crew-9 mission on September 24 with just two astronauts, instead of the usual four. NASA has noted that the Crew Dragon ship can accommodate additional occupants if necessary.

In this scenario, the Crew Dragon capsule would return to Earth with Starliner’s crew in February 2025, which would be a significant embarrassment for Boeing.

If this occurs, Starliner’s return without crew before Crew-9 launches would be a significant setback.

Steve Stich, program manager for NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, revealed that intense discussions have been held about the best way forward. Boeing remains confident in its spacecraft after conducting ground testing to replicate the issues seen in space. Stich commented, “I think the NASA community in general would like to understand a bit more of the root cause and the physics. We have not formally committed to this path (using SpaceX), but we wanted to ensure we had all that flexibility in place.”

The absence of Boeing representatives from the briefing has heightened perceptions of a rift between the companies.

As Boeing deals with the Starliner’s technical issues, some industry observers are optimistic about SpaceX’s potential role in rescuing the stranded astronauts. Peter T. Masters, CEO of PXMSoftware, tweeted, “SpaceX to the rescue. I think Elon Musk is onto something.”

Design Flaws with Starliner Spacecraft

NASA and Boeing have been conducting tests at the White Sands Testing Facility in New Mexico to understand why Starliner’s thrusters experienced power loss and why helium leaks occurred. Stich noted that the latest analysis indicates the fuel flow was restricted within a “poppet” valve, with overheating causing some fuel to vaporise. The helium leaks might be due to undersized seals.

Ken Bowersox, NASA’s associate administrator for the Space Operations Mission Directorate, insisted that returning with Starliner remains the “prime option.”

However, if Wilmore and Williams return with SpaceX, it would mark the biggest setback yet for Boeing’s space program, which has already faced numerous delays and issues.

The solid rocket booster separates from the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket after lifting off with the Crew Dragon Endeavour capsule. Picture: AFP

The bigger picture: Boeing vs. SpaceX

Both Boeing and SpaceX were awarded multibillion-dollar contracts in 2014 to provide the US space agency with rides to the ISS following the end of the space shuttle program in 2011. SpaceX succeeded in its first crewed test in 2020 and has since carried dozens of people.

In contrast, Boeing’s program has been plagued by delays, including a software bug during its first unscrewed test and the discovery of flammable electrical tape after the second. The crewed test itself faced two aborted launch attempts while the astronauts were strapped in and ready for lift-off.

- with AFP and New York Post