NASA has confirmed the decision to bring home two stranded astronauts on a SpaceX spacecraft next year and let the Boeing Starliner fall to earth uncrewed.
Sunita “Suni” Williams, 58, and Barry “Butch” Wilmore, 61, have so far spent over 80 days in space after the Boeing Starliner spacecraft experienced severe mechanical issues.
Test mission
The astronauts were taking part in a test mission for the first ever crewed flight on the Boeing Starliner spacecraft.
During the flight, several issues with thrusters and leaking helium systems developed, with NASA deeming it too dangerous to fly the crew home.
Stranded in space
Williams and Wilmore have been stranded on the International Space Station awaiting a decision on their home-coming.
The two Americans were due to complete an eight-day test mission to the International Space Station (ISS) on June 5, intending to return home just days later.
“Good feeling in my heart”
Instead, the pair have spent 81 days at the ISS as they await a final decision.
Throughout the wait, the pair have remained positive with Williams saying that she has a “good feeling in my heart that the spacecraft will bring us home, no problem.”
Decisions to be made
NASA had been considering several options as to how best get the two astronauts home, including whether to risk using the original Boeing Starliner – which would allow the crew to leave almost immediately.
Alternatively, a SpaceX could be made available but the pair would need to wait until 2025.
February 2025
Today, after a unanimous decision, NASA representatives have decided to opt for Musk’s SpaceX to bring the astronauts home.
NASA said that it was the safest decision for Williams and Wilmore to return as part of SpaceX’s Dragon Crew-9 mission in February 2025.
Boeing statement
After 2 months of testing the Starliner while it has been docked at ISS, the craft will now fall to earth uncrewed.
Boeing said in a statement that the company “are executing the mission as determined by NASA and preparing the spacecraft for a safe and successful uncrewed return.”
Boeing v SpaceX
NASA has spent billions of dollars so that both Boeing and SpaceX are capable of sending astronauts into space on its behalf.
The U.S has previously outsourced earth to space transportation to Russian operations.
Musk leads the race
While Boeing’s first test mission has been unsuccessful, SpaceX completed its first crew test flight in 2020.
SpaceX has been responsible for more launches in recent years than any other provider and is increasingly being relied upon by the U.S – Starship, the newest rocket in Musk’s collection, is at the heart of NASA’s plan to return to the moon.
Boeing focus on safety
Boeing has maintained that the Starliner craft was ready for an emergency flight back to earth, but understands that safety must be imperative.
The company said: “Boeing continues to focus, first and foremost, on the safety of the crew and spacecraft.”
