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NASA Administrator Bill Nelson makes decision on the fate of Boeing Starliner astronauts. Announced yesterday on August 24, 2024, Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft will return to Earth without its crew. This decision was made during a press briefing at NASA’s Johnson Space Center, following weeks of investigation into a series of technical issues that surfaced during the spacecraft’s launch and docking with the International Space Station.
Astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, who have been aboard the International Space Station (ISS) since June as part of NASA’s Boeing Crew Flight Test, were originally intended to return on the Starliner after an eight-day test flight of the spacecraft. However, due to ongoing concerns about the spacecraft’s reliability, NASA has opted to bring them back aboard SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft with Crew 9 astronauts, currently scheduled for a February 2025 return.
The decision to proceed with an uncrewed Starliner return comes after NASA officials were unable to confidently model how the spacecraft would perform on its return to Earth. Issues with the Starliner’s propulsion system, including helium leaks and underperforming thrusters, raised serious concerns about the spacecraft’s ability to safely execute the critical deorbit burn necessary for a crewed landing. Despite Boeing’s extensive testing and reassurances that the spacecraft had the capacity to return the crew safely, NASA concluded that the risks were too significant to proceed with a crewed descent.
This decision represents a setback for Boeing’s Starliner program, which has already faced years of delays and technical hurdles. The spacecraft, which was supposed to serve as a competitor to SpaceX’s Dragon under NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, has struggled to meet the agency’s rigorous safety standards. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson emphasized that while the decision was difficult, it was guided by a commitment to astronaut safety—a lesson reinforced by the agency’s past tragedies. “Spaceflight carries inherent risks, and test flights are particularly challenging. The decision to keep Butch and Suni on the ISS and return the Starliner uncrewed reflects our dedication to safety,” Nelson stated.
The Starliner is now expected to autonomously undock from the ISS and perform a controlled reentry and landing at White Sands, New Mexico, in early September 2024. Meanwhile, Wilmore and Williams will continue their mission aboard the ISS as part of Expedition 71/72 until their return on the Crew Dragon spacecraft next year.
Ken Bowersox, NASA’s Associate Administrator for Space Operations, praised the teams for their thorough analysis and focus on safety, highlighting the valuable insights gained from Starliner’s operations. “We’ve learned a tremendous amount about Starliner, and the data collected during its uncrewed return will further enhance the system for future missions,” Bowersox said.
Following Starliner’s return, NASA will conduct a comprehensive review to determine any additional steps required for certification. The SpaceX Crew-9 mission, which will launch with two, still undetermined, crew members, no earlier than September 24. This mission will also carry additional cargo, personal items, and Dragon-specific spacesuits for Wilmore and Williams. (Spaceflight Now, NASA)