It has been eight long weeks since Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft launched into orbit, bound for the International Space Station. The initial mission was plagued by technical issues, including helium leaks and failing thrusters. While NASA and Boeing officials initially downplayed these problems, the situation has only grown more complex over time.
The most pressing concern now is the failure of multiple reaction control system thrusters, which are essential for steering Starliner during its departure from the space station and the critical engine burn to enter Earth’s atmosphere. NASA and Boeing have been conducting extensive testing to address these issues, but the space agency is now “evaluating all options” for the safe return of astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams.
A Possible Lifeline from SpaceX
One option that has emerged in recent weeks is the possibility of the Starliner crew returning to Earth aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft. According to multiple sources, there is now a greater than 50% chance that this will be the case, though NASA has not made a final decision yet.
NASA has already issued a $266,678 task award to SpaceX for a “special study” that, according to sources, is directly related to the Starliner issues. This study has allowed SpaceX to explore scenarios in which two or even four astronauts could be flown home on the Crew Dragon spacecraft.
Tough Decisions Ahead for NASA
NASA officials face a difficult decision in the coming days. On one hand, the Starliner spacecraft probably could make it back to Earth safely. But there appears to be some reasonable doubt about its reliability, and the space agency is understandably unwilling to take unnecessary risks with the crew’s safety.
If NASA defers to its fallback plan and chooses to fly the crew home on Dragon, it may spell the end of the Starliner program. Boeing has already invested $1.6 billion in the development and testing of the spacecraft, and a reflight of the crew test mission would likely cost much more. This would be a painful outcome for both NASA and Boeing.
However, the alternative – Starliner not returning the crew safely – is a far worse scenario. This is the delicate balance of risks and rewards that NASA officials, including Jim Free, the agency’s associate administrator, must weigh in the coming days.
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Ongoing Testing and Evaluation
In the meantime, NASA and Boeing have been working around the clock to address the technical issues with Starliner. Ground teams have completed testing of a thruster on a test stand at White Sands, New Mexico, and last weekend, the agencies fired the spacecraft’s thrusters in orbit to check their performance while docked at the space station.
According to NASA, the preliminary results from these tests have been helpful, but the space agency is still not entirely satisfied with the reliability of the Starliner’s systems. This is why they are “evaluating all options” for the crew’s safe return.
The Importance of the Mission
The stakes are incredibly high for this mission. The Starliner spacecraft was designed to be the crew’s primary means of transportation back to Earth, and NASA has invested a significant amount of time and resources in its development.
Losing the Starliner program would be a major setback for NASA, as it would leave the agency with only a single provider of crew transportation – SpaceX. This would be a concerning situation, as it could reduce the agency’s flexibility and negotiating power in the future.
A Potential Compromise?
One possible compromise that has been discussed is the possibility of flying the Starliner crew home on a combination of the Starliner and Crew Dragon spacecraft. This would allow NASA to complete the Starliner mission while still ensuring the crew’s safe return, and it could potentially keep the program alive.
However, this scenario comes with its own set of challenges, as it would require careful coordination between the two spacecraft and their respective teams. It would also add to the overall complexity of the mission, which is something NASA is understandably wary of.
Conclusion
As NASA and Boeing continue to evaluate the options for the Starliner crew’s safe return, the space agency is facing a critical decision that will have far-reaching consequences. The choice between the Starliner and the Crew Dragon is a delicate balance of risks and rewards, and the outcome will shape the future of NASA’s human spaceflight program.
Regardless of the final decision, one thing is clear: the safety and well-being of the astronauts on board the Starliner is the top priority. NASA is committed to exploring all possible avenues to bring Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams home safely, and the agency’s actions in the coming days will be closely watched by the entire space community.
