Have you ever had an eight-day road trip turn into an eight-month trip? If not, count yourself lucky that you’re not one of the astronauts currently stranded in space.
Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore, the two astronauts who flew to the International Space Station (ISS) on the Boeing Starliner, will remain at the ISS until 2025 due to issues with the Boeing spacecraft. NASA made the long-awaited decision on Saturday, citing safety concerns.
As detailed by Mashable science and space reporter Elisha Sauers, NASA had to make the decision at this time in August because port space (where spacecraft are effectively parked) is limited, and NASA also needs to ensure the health of its astronauts. Concerns about Starliner centered on problems with its propulsion system: a thruster failed when Starliner docked, but engineers don’t seem to have come up with a satisfactory solution or explanation. The thrusters are important during landing, as they keep the capsule pointed in the right direction.
Mashable Lightspeed
Why time is running out to decide whether Starliner astronauts should return
Under the new plan, Williams and Wilmore will return to Earth in February aboard a SpaceX capsule. The planned eight-day Starliner test flight will result in an eight-month stay at the ISS. The Starliner will return without a crew member.
With human lives at stake, NASA appears to have decided it’s best to play it safe.
“We’ve made mistakes in the past,” NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said. “We lost two space shuttles because we didn’t have a culture of openness.”
The decision is yet another blow to Boeing’s reputation, which has seen a ton of bad news recently. Safety concerns have only grown since the tragic Boeing 737 Max crashes in 2018-2019 that killed 346 people. The company’s space program has also been plagued with problems, which are far from ideal for the company or the astronauts stranded in space.
