NASA to Decide on Safety of Boeing Capsule

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — NASA is set to make a crucial decision this weekend regarding the safety of Boeing's Starliner capsule, which has been docked at the International Space Station (ISS) since June with two astronauts aboard. Administrator Bill Nelson and other top officials will convene on Saturday, with an announcement anticipated from Houston following their discussions. The Starliner test flight has faced significant challenges, including thruster failures and helium leaks, prompting NASA to keep the capsule at the ISS while engineers assess the situation. If NASA opts for a SpaceX retrieval, the astronauts could remain in orbit until February, far exceeding their initial one-week mission. In the event of this decision, the Starliner would return to Earth empty in September. Engineers are currently analyzing a new computer model for the Starliner thrusters, focusing on their performance during descent and landing in the U.S. Western desert. These evaluations, along with updated risk analyses, will play a pivotal role in NASA's final decision. Boeing has asserted that extensive testing of the thrusters, both in space and on the ground, confirms the Starliner's capability to safely return the astronauts. This mission marks Boeing's first astronaut flight, which has been delayed for years due to various technical issues. NASA contracted both Boeing and SpaceX a decade ago to transport astronauts to and from the ISS following the retirement of the space shuttle program.