NASA is considering a SpaceX rescue mission for astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore, who have been in orbit since June on what was intended to be a week-long test flight on Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft.
The astronauts launched on June 5 as part of the Starliner’s first crewed flight, but issues with the spacecraft’s helium leaks and propulsion system during approach and docking to the International Space Station have delayed their return to Earth. Two months later, NASA managers are still working to understand the problems, prompting them to ask SpaceX to explore options for bringing the astronauts home.
NASA’s decision to consider using SpaceX’s Crew Dragon to bring Williams and Wilmore back marks a shift in the agency’s previous messaging about Starliner’s safety. Recent testing data has raised concerns among engineers, leading NASA to request that SpaceX develop a plan for the astronauts’ return.
The space agency has delayed the Crew-9 launch from August 18 to September 24 to accommodate the possibility of sending Williams and Wilmore back on that mission, which could extend their time in orbit by another six months.
NASA expects to review SpaceX’s full plan by mid-August, with a final decision on the astronauts’ return expected soon after. Despite the current challenges, NASA Commercial Crew Program Manager Steve Stich expressed optimism about Starliner’s future.
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