A recent setback in SpaceX's rocket program could further delay the return of two NASA astronauts currently stranded aboard the International Space Station (ISS).
According to a report by Daily Mail, the astronauts, who were originally meant to spend only eight days in space, may now face an extended stay until at least February 2025.
The astronauts, Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore, launched to the ISS on June 5 aboard Boeing's troubled Starliner spacecraft. However, due to technical issues with Starliner, including helium leaks and thruster failures, NASA deemed it unsafe for the crew to return to the same vessel. The space agency then turned to SpaceX's Crew Dragon capsule as the astronauts' ride home.
The plan to bring Williams and Wilmore back to Earth hit a snag when a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, intended to launch the rescue mission, failed during a recent test. The rocket burst into flames after a satellite deployment, prompting an investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
This incident has raised concerns about the timeline for the astronauts' return. The FAA's investigation could potentially delay SpaceX's rescue mission, which was initially scheduled for September 24. The agency states that some investigations might conclude within weeks, while more complex ones could take several months.
Further complicating matters, SpaceX plans to use the Falcon 9 to launch the Crew Dragon spacecraft. The recent technical issues with the booster suggest that a successful launch in September is not guaranteed.
NASA officials have reported that Williams and Wilmore are "doing fine" and keeping busy with day-to-day tasks and science experiments aboard the ISS. However, their mission, originally planned for about a week, has now transformed into an eight-month-long stay.
The space agency is now faced with the challenge of ensuring the safe return of the astronauts while dealing with the uncertainties surrounding both Boeing's Starliner and SpaceX's Falcon 9. This situation underscores the complexities and risks associated with human spaceflight.
NASA's decision to use SpaceX's Crew Dragon for the rescue mission came after determining that Boeing's Starliner was too risky for the return journey. This decision was particularly humiliating for Boeing, which has invested over $4 billion of taxpayer money into the Starliner program.
The ongoing issues with Starliner have raised questions about the future of Boeing's involvement in crewed missions to the ISS. With NASA planning to decommission the ISS by 2030, Boeing has a limited window to resolve Starliner's technical problems and successfully complete crewed missions.
This setback is particularly significant given that it has already been five years since Starliner's first failed uncrewed test flight. The company has sunk $1.6 billion into the spacecraft's development, leading to speculation about whether Boeing might retire the program before reaching its goals.
The situation has also highlighted the competitive dynamics in the commercial spaceflight industry. One Boeing employee anonymously told the New York Post:
We have had so many embarrassments lately, we're under a microscope. This just made it, like, 100 times worse.
The stranded astronauts face an extended stay in space due to technical issues with Boeing's Starliner and SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket. NASA is working to ensure their safe return while navigating the challenges posed by these setbacks. The situation has raised questions about the future of Boeing's space program and highlighted the competitive dynamics in the commercial spaceflight industry. As investigations continue, the space agency must balance safety concerns with the need to bring the astronauts home.
