SpaceX to rescue: Astronauts stranded on ISS due to Boeing flaws
The SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule, developed by Elon Musk's company, is set to transport two NASA astronauts on the International Space Station (ISS) for 80 days. They were initially scheduled to stay for just eight days, but technical issues with the Boeing-Starliner spacecraft extended their mission.
NASA specialists were deliberating over whether the Starliner was safe enough for the return journey with the crew or if the task should be assigned to SpaceX's Crew Dragon. A decision was made on Saturday following a formal assessment of the situation.
Musk's company will transport the astronauts
Boeing was not represented at the press conference on Saturday. NASA indicated "just a little disagreement (between NASA and Boeing) in terms of the level of risk." This prompted the federal agency to consider bringing the astronauts home aboard the SpaceX Crew Dragon vehicle, which has successfully carried out a dozen crewed space missions since 2020.
The production of this spacecraft is managed by SpaceX, an American company founded by Elon Musk in 2002.
NASA: "We have made mistakes"
On Saturday, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson explained that the agency considered its extensive experience in spaceflight—both successful and unsuccessful—when making its decision.
We have had mistakes done in the past: We lost two space shuttles (...) Spaceflight is risky, even at its safest and even at its most routine. And a test flight, by nature, is neither safe, nor routine, he emphasised.
CNN reports that the Starliner will return to Earth empty. NASA will decide whether to grant the Starliner official crewed flight certification if its uncrewed return flight succeeds. This would enable the vehicle to conduct routine orbital trips despite not completing its mission as planned.
SpaceX had a routine mission to the ISS planned, which involved transporting four astronauts as part of standard crew rotations on the orbiting laboratory. The new mission, named Crew-9, will be adapted to transport two astronauts instead of four.
This adjustment will facilitate the astronauts' return flight on the ISS. Due to these changes, they will become part of an official ISS expedition and will remain there for an additional six months, the duration of a typical expedition on the space station.
The astronauts' return to Earth will be possible in February 2025 at the earliest.
Astronauts stuck on the space station
In June 2024, astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore arrived at the ISS aboard the Boeing-Starliner. They were supposed to stay for eight days.
However, technical problems emerged, including a helium leak. Some engines also suddenly stopped working, preventing their planned return.
CNN recalls that, as late as 2 August, Boeing was assuring that its spacecraft would very likely be able to transport the astronauts back to Earth. Meanwhile, the astronauts have now been on the ISS for 80 days.
