Are NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore really “stuck” in space, or is it their choice to spend more time in weightlessness than scheduled? The answer lies in a combination of factors, primarily centered around the performance of Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft and a commitment to ensuring a safe return to Earth.
Firstly, Steve Stich, manager of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, clarified that Starliner is equipped to return astronauts in an emergency. This “absolutely necessary” scenario would arise if the capsule needed to serve as an escape pod from the International Space Station (ISS) during an emergency, or if perishable items, such as solar panels, show signs of imminent failure. To prepare for such an event, Williams and Wilmore conducted a “Safe Haven procedure” test on July 10, successfully sheltering inside Starliner in case of an immediate undocking from the ISS.
However, NASA has other options for bringing astronauts back from space quickly. SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft, which ferried four astronauts to the ISS in March, could be used in a true emergency. While using a competitor’s spacecraft seems unlikely, the priority remains ensuring the safe return of Williams and Wilmore.
The extended stay in space is primarily attributed to issues with the Starliner’s thrusters, which are essential for guiding the spacecraft during re-entry and landing. Wilmore explained that human spaceflight is inherently challenging, and every spacecraft faces challenges during its development. The crew is taking advantage of their extended stay to test and analyze the thruster performance, gathering critical data to inform future decisions about the spacecraft’s reliability.
Williams emphasized the importance of these studies, highlighting that the service module, which houses the thrusters, will detach and burn up during re-entry, preventing further analysis in space. While the crew has confidence in Starliner’s ability to return them safely, they are using this opportunity to gather valuable data and ensure a smooth and successful return to Earth.
NASA initially planned for Starliner’s return in mid-June, but the mission has been extended to allow for troubleshooting and data gathering. Starliner has experienced multiple issues, including helium leaks and thruster anomalies, delaying its return. These issues have prompted a thorough examination of the spacecraft’s propulsion system, a critical component for its safe return.
NASA and Boeing are committed to understanding the root cause of the thruster problems and ensuring the system’s reliability before allowing the spacecraft to undock and return to Earth. They are prioritizing a safe return and want to be completely confident in the spacecraft’s performance before embarking on the final descent.
Despite the setbacks, the crew maintains a positive attitude, confident in their training and the spacecraft’s eventual ability to bring them home safely. Their extended stay in space allows for valuable data collection and analysis, strengthening the future of commercial space travel.
