NASA has announced that two astronauts currently aboard the International Space Station (ISS) on Boeing's Starliner spacecraft will return to Earth on a SpaceX Crew Dragon vehicle in early 2025. This decision comes after a series of propulsion issues with the Starliner capsule deemed too risky to complete their return mission as initially planned.
The astronauts, Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, embarked on their mission in June aboard the Starliner for what was intended to be an eight-day test flight. However, glitches in Starliner's propulsion system during the first day led to delays, keeping them on the ISS for 79 days. NASA officials confirmed that Wilmore and Williams are safe and will use the extended time to conduct additional scientific experiments.
In a significant shift for NASA, the agency has opted to utilize SpaceX's Crew Dragon for the astronauts' return journey, scheduled for February 2025. This move marks a pivotal moment in NASA's commercial crew program, highlighting the challenges Boeing faces with its Starliner program, which has struggled with technical issues and budget overruns since its inception.
Boeing has expressed commitment to resolving the propulsion problems with Starliner, emphasizing the safety of the crew and spacecraft. Despite the setbacks, NASA remains confident in Boeing's ability to eventually certify Starliner for routine flights, although the path forward remains uncertain.
The decision underscores the complexities of space missions and the critical importance of reliable propulsion systems in ensuring the safety of astronauts. As NASA continues to advance its space exploration goals, partnerships with companies like SpaceX and Boeing remain essential to expanding humanity's presence in space.
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SpaceX to return Boeing's Starliner astronauts from space next year
cgtn.com
