NASA has decided not to bring two astronauts back to Earth aboard Boeing’s Starliner capsule due to concerns about helium leaks and degraded thrusters. Despite successful tests, NASA could not prove the systems would operate normally for a safe return. As a result, the astronauts will spend nearly nine months in orbit before coming home on a SpaceX Crew Dragon ship next February.
This decision means two Crew 9 astronauts will give up their seats on a SpaceX Crew Dragon launch in September for the delayed return of the Starliner crew. Boeing’s Starliner will depart the space station unmanned on September 6, following an automated return to Earth.
Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg assured commitment to the Starliner program, despite the setback. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson expressed faith in Boeing’s partnership, emphasizing the importance of having multiple spacecraft for crew access to the International Space Station.
The Starliner experienced helium leaks and thruster issues during its recent test flight, leading to extensive testing and analysis costing $125 million. While Boeing argued that the spacecraft could safely return, NASA ultimately decided the risks were too great to bring back the astronauts.
Boeing plans to focus on a safe uncrewed return for the Starliner. The delays come in the context of NASA’s efforts to reduce reliance on Russian Soyuz spacecraft and have redundant crew access systems to the space station. SpaceX has been meeting NASA’s goals with its successful Crew Dragon flights and will continue to play a crucial role in crew transportation to the ISS.
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