Stranded ISS astronauts to return home in February 2025 using SpaceX Dragon

NASA has postponed the return of astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams to the International Space Station (ISS) due to safety concerns over Boeing’s Starliner aircraft. The mission, originally planned for September 2024, has been postponed to February 2025. 

• The decision was prompted by persistent technical concerns with the Starliner’s propulsion system, such as thruster failures and helium leakage. The Starliner will be returned to Earth unmanned, with a landing attempt scheduled for early September 2024 in the New Mexico desert.
• The development illustrates Boeing’s persistent struggles, as the space program has suffered severe setbacks and financial losses.
• The astronauts will fly home aboard a Dragon spacecraft in February 2025.

NASA has postponed the return of two astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS) due to safety concerns about Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft, marking another setback for the aerospace giant.

Astronauts Butch Wilmore, 61, and Sunita Williams, 58, were supposed to return to Earth on the Starliner, but the mission has been pushed back until February 2025. Instead, the astronauts will return in a SpaceX spacecraft, extending their time in space from a planned week to more than eight months.

The Starliner, designed to represent Boeing’s heritage in space exploration, has encountered technical challenges, most notably thruster failures and helium leaks. These issues prompted NASA to decide against using the Starliner for the astronauts’ return.

Despite comprehensive testing, including extensive rocket tests in orbit and on the ground, the spacecraft’s propulsion system failed many times. Given these outstanding difficulties, NASA decided it was too hazardous to use the Starliner for the return voyage. Instead, Wilmore and Williams will stay on the ISS until February 2025, when a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft will return them to Earth.

NASA’s decision to postpone the astronauts’ return is driven mostly by safety concerns. The Starliner’s propulsion system concerns, particularly thruster faults and helium leaks, created unacceptable risks to the crew.

Drawing on lessons from previous space shuttle disasters, NASA adopted a more cautious approach, prioritizing astronaut safety over the projected mission timeline. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson stressed that the decision reflects a commitment to crew safety, stating that “A test flight by nature is neither safe nor routine. The decision is a result of a commitment to safety.”

Boeing has reported a $125 million loss for the Starliner program through June 30, 2024, bringing the total cost overrun to more than $1.5 billion. Despite these hurdles, NASA remains dedicated to the Starliner, hoping that the spacecraft can overcome these obstacles and conduct a successful crewed trip shortly.

The stakes are high for Boeing, whose brand has already been tarnished by prior accidents like the 737 Max tragedies. Although the Starliner program accounts for a minor amount of Boeing’s income, it is indicative of the company’s aerospace past. As NASA and Boeing work through these obstacles, the Starliner’s future will be closely watched by both the industry and the public.

References:

¹ NASA Decides to Bring Starliner Spacecraft Back to Earth Without Crew – NASA – August 24, 2024