NASA delays crewed return of Boeing Starliner spacecraft due to thruster concerns. The agency will instead send the astronauts home on a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule in February 2025.
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| Boeing Starliner spacecraft to return to Earth uncrewed after NASA identifies thruster issues. The agency has decided to delay the crewed return flight, opting to send the astronauts home on a SpaceX Crew Dragon. |
New York, USA – August 25, 2024:
Washington, D.C., In a surprising announcement, NASA has decided to delay the crewed return of the Boeing Starliner spacecraft from the International Space Station (ISS). The agency cited concerns about the performance of Starliner's thrusters as the primary reason for the decision.
Instead of returning aboard Starliner, astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams will come home on a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule in February 2025. This will require the SpaceX Crew-9 mission to launch with only two astronauts instead of four, making room for Wilmore and Williams on the return journey.
NASA's Commercial Crew Program manager, Steve Stich, explained that the agency's decision was based on the uncertainty surrounding Starliner's thruster predictions. "There was too much uncertainty" around the ability to accurately predict the thrusters' performance, he stated.
The decision to delay the crewed return of Starliner marks a significant setback for Boeing's commercial space program. The spacecraft's initial test flight in June 2024 had been seen as a crucial step towards achieving operational status. However, the thruster issues have raised questions about the reliability and safety of the vehicle.
NASA has now shifted its focus to ensuring a safe and successful uncrewed return of Starliner. The agency plans to conduct a readiness review for the undocking process and expects it to take place around early next month.
The decision to delay the crewed return of Starliner comes amidst a growing emphasis on safety within NASA. Administrator Bill Nelson emphasized the importance of a culture where employees feel comfortable raising concerns. He acknowledged that spaceflight is inherently risky, even at its safest, and that a test flight by its nature is neither safe nor routine.