NASA Decision on Astronauts' Return

NASA is set to conduct a formal review on Saturday to assess the safety of Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft for crewed return missions. The Starliner, which transported astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore to the International Space Station (ISS) in June, has faced significant challenges, including helium leaks and malfunctioning thrusters during its initial crewed test flight. As a result, NASA is considering the possibility of using SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft to bring the astronauts home, given its proven track record with over a dozen successful crewed missions since 2020. The Crew Dragon is already scheduled for a routine mission to the ISS, which would allow it to accommodate Williams and Wilmore, who may need to extend their stay by an additional six months. This extension aligns with the typical duration of missions to the space station, as engineers continue to investigate the thruster issues that have plagued the Starliner. NASA is now faced with the critical decision of whether the data collected by Starliner during its mission is sufficient to certify it for human spaceflight, a milestone that would enable it to conduct regular trips to orbit. Boeing’s Starliner program has encountered numerous setbacks, resulting in significant budget overruns and delays compared to SpaceX’s Crew Dragon. The Starliner’s second uncrewed flight test in May 2022 revealed further software issues, prompting ongoing efforts to resolve the spacecraft's technical challenges. NASA’s Commercial Crew Program was designed to allow for mutual support between the two spacecraft, highlighting the agency's foresight in ensuring backup options for crewed missions.