Vithanage Erandi Kawshalya Madhushani Jade Times Staff
V. E. K. Madhushani is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Technology.
Technical Issues Delay Astronauts' Return from ISS, Highlighting Challenges for Boeing's Spacecraft
Boeing's Starliner spacecraft has successfully returned to Earth, but without the astronauts it was originally intended to bring back from the International Space Station (ISS). The unmanned capsule made its autonomous journey home after undocking from the space station, with its return marking a significant, though incomplete, milestone for Boeing’s space program.
The spacecraft had been expected to transport NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams back to Earth. However, technical issues encountered during the mission including helium leaks that affected the propulsion system and malfunctioning thrusters rendered the Starliner too risky for a crewed descent. As a result, NASA decided that the astronauts would remain on the ISS and return via a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule in February, extending their planned eight day stay to eight months.
NASA officials expressed mixed emotions following the Starliner’s return. Steve Stich, NASA’s Commercial Crew Program Manager, acknowledged the successful landing but noted the disappointment that it did not go as originally planned. He emphasized that while the mission achieved a safe return of the spacecraft, there was still considerable work to be done to fully resolve the technical issues.
The Starliner’s journey back to Earth took approximately six hours. The capsule re entered the atmosphere, deploying parachutes to slow its descent before landing at the White Sands Space Harbor in New Mexico at 23:01 local time on Saturday. NASA reported that astronauts Wilmore and Williams remain in good spirits and in regular contact with their families.
This mission was the first test flight for Boeing’s Starliner with astronauts on board. However, problems emerged shortly after its launch from Cape Canaveral on June 5, including helium leaks and thruster failures. Despite extensive troubleshooting by Boeing and NASA engineers, the technical challenges persisted, ultimately leading to the decision not to use the spacecraft for the astronauts' return journey.
In a news briefing following the landing, Stich highlighted the human aspect of the mission, stating that everyone involved had hoped for the mission to conclude with Wilmore and Williams safely on board the Starliner. He acknowledged the tension between NASA and Boeing regarding the safety decision, with Boeing initially advocating for the spacecraft's capability to bring the astronauts home. However, NASA's concerns over safety uncertainties led to the final decision to opt for the SpaceX Crew Dragon.
This setback has introduced a significant delay in the astronauts’ return. SpaceX is scheduled to launch its next Crew Dragon in late September, initially planned to carry four astronauts. However, with the changes, the spacecraft will now have space for Wilmore and Williams, who will join the mission to return to Earth next February.
Dana Weigel, Manager of the ISS, noted that the astronauts are adapting well to their extended stay on the space station. Both have extensive experience with long duration space missions and are following exercise regimens to maintain their health in the microgravity environment. Additionally, recent resupply missions have ensured they have all the necessary gear for their extended time aboard the ISS.
For Boeing, the Starliner’s safe return is a welcome success amid ongoing challenges. The company has faced financial losses and reputational setbacks following recent in flight incidents and two fatal accidents five years ago. NASA remains committed to Boeing's spacecraft as part of its strategy to maintain multiple options for transporting astronauts to space. The retirement of the Space Shuttle fleet in 2011 left the U.S. reliant on Russia's Soyuz spacecraft, underscoring the importance of having multiple domestic providers.
Boeing and SpaceX were awarded contracts by NASA in 2014 to provide commercial crew transportation services, with Boeing's contract valued at $4.2 billion and SpaceX’s at $2.6 billion. While SpaceX has successfully completed nine crewed flights for NASA, this mission marked Boeing’s first attempt at a crewed mission, following previous delays and setbacks in the spacecraft’s development.
Despite the recent challenges, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson remains confident that Starliner will eventually carry astronauts again, emphasizing the importance of Boeing's continued role in the U.S. space program. With the successful landing of the unmanned Starliner, Boeing and NASA will now focus on a comprehensive post-flight analysis to determine the next steps toward certifying the spacecraft for future crewed missions.
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