NASA Astronauts Stuck in Space Station: Boeing’s Starliner space capsule is set to return to Earth on Friday, but its two NASA astronauts will not be on board. The capsule, which has faced numerous challenges, will leave the International Space Station (ISS) empty and head back to Earth autonomously. This decision was made after problems were discovered with the Starliner’s thrusters, making it unsafe for the astronauts to return in the capsule.
Why Are NASA Astronauts Stuck in the Space Station?
The two astronauts, Sunita “Suni” Williams and Barry “Butch” Wilmore, were originally supposed to spend just eight days on the ISS before returning to Earth in the Starliner capsule. However, issues with the capsule’s thrusters and helium leaks during the mission caused NASA to reconsider. Although the Starliner successfully docked at the space station, the malfunctioning thrusters were deemed too risky for the return trip.
Instead of taking a chance on the troubled Starliner, NASA decided that the astronauts would stay on the ISS until February 2024. They will return home aboard a SpaceX Dragon capsule. Despite the extended stay, NASA assures that the astronauts are not “stuck” or “stranded.” The ISS has enough space and supplies to accommodate them, and the astronauts are continuing their work as part of the station’s crew.
Starliner to Head Home Without Crew
Weather permitting, the Starliner capsule will undock from the ISS at 6:04 p.m. Eastern time on Friday. After a six-hour journey, the capsule will land at the White Sands Space Harbor in New Mexico. The landing will be guided by flight controllers at Starliner Mission Control in Houston and Boeing Mission Control Center in Florida. The capsule will use parachutes and airbags to ensure a safe landing.
Once on Earth, the Starliner will be taken back to Boeing’s facility at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida for further analysis. This will allow Boeing to investigate the issues that led to the thruster malfunctions and make the necessary repairs.
The Future for NASA and Boeing
Boeing’s Starliner mission has been a challenging one. The capsule had already completed two uncrewed flights before this mission. In 2019, the first flight did not reach orbit and failed to dock with the ISS due to software errors. The second uncrewed flight in 2022 was more successful, as the Starliner reached the ISS and returned safely. However, the recent problems with the thrusters have added more complications to Boeing’s efforts to establish a reliable spacecraft for NASA.
NASA and Boeing have been working together for over a decade to develop spacecraft capable of carrying astronauts to and from the ISS. While SpaceX successfully launched its first crewed mission in 2020, Boeing has faced more difficulties. The recent issues with Starliner highlight the challenges of space travel and the importance of thorough testing and safety measures.
NASA Astronauts Continue Work on ISS
Although the Starliner’s return will be empty, the two NASA astronauts will continue their work on the ISS. They are now part of the Expedition 71/72 crew and will remain on the station until February 2024. During this time, they will contribute to ongoing experiments and maintenance tasks, just as they would have if the mission had gone according to the original plan.
Their return to Earth is now scheduled for February 2024 aboard SpaceX’s Crew-9 Dragon capsule, which is set to launch on September 24, 2023. This change in plans ensures that the astronauts can return safely, even if it means an extended stay in space.
Conclusion
Boeing’s Starliner mission has not gone as planned, but NASA and Boeing are working together to ensure the safety of the astronauts and the success of future missions. While the Starliner will return to Earth without its crew, the astronauts remain safe and continue their important work on the ISS. The lessons learned from this mission will be crucial for future space travel, and both NASA and Boeing are committed to overcoming these challenges.
As Boeing continues to work on improving the Starliner, the two astronauts will eventually return home safely aboard SpaceX’s Dragon capsule. This mission highlights the complexities of space travel and the ongoing efforts to make it safer and more reliable for astronauts.
