After Boeing’s malfunctioning Starliner capsule left two astronauts stranded on the International Space Station, NASA had two options.
They could risk sending Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore home on the Starliner — which could cost them their lives — or leave them there until they can catch a ride on SpaceX’s Dragon capsule.
Ultimately, NASA decided that the risk of a fatal accident was too high to bring the astronauts home on the Starliner, meaning Williams and Wilmore would remain on the ISS until February 2025.
“I don’t think it’s all that surprising, given the experience with the Columbia shuttle disaster in 2003, where they had a known problem and they didn’t address it, and the tragic consequences were there,” said aerospace consultant Bill Harwood.
Stranded astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore will remain on the ISS for another six months after NASA decided that a return flight on the Starliner could cost their lives.
That’s not far removed from what happened in 2003, when NASA’s space shuttle Columbia disintegrated in the atmosphere, killing all seven astronauts on board.
The incident was preventable because it was caused by a large piece of foam that fell from the shuttle’s external tank and punctured the spacecraft’s wing.
This technical problem had been known for years and NASA was criticized for not addressing it in time.
This time, “NASA decided to play it safe,” Hardwood said.
While Boeing officials helped make the decision, they did not necessarily agree with it.
“Boeing engineers believe the capsule is completely safe and that they can safely return the crew home if necessary.”
NASA looked at the same test data again, but they concluded, “We just don’t have enough confidence.”
It remains to be seen what impact this decision will have on the relationship between NASA and Boeing.
“NASA is counting on Boeing to perfect this spacecraft,” Harwood said.
‘Boeing says yes, but that is not certain yet.’
Starliner launched on June 5 with the intention of remaining at the ISS for eight days and then returning Wilmore and Williams safely to Earth.
But before, during and after launch, the spacecraft was plagued by technical problems, including helium leaks and failed thrusters.
Astronauts Williams and Wilmore were able to reach the ISS safely. However, by the time they arrived, Starliner had developed more helium leaks and five of its 18 thrusters had failed.
They’ve been stuck there ever since, waiting patiently as NASA and Boeing race to find the best way to get the astronauts home.
NASA decided not to take Williams and Wilmore home on the Starliner to avoid a tragic incident like the 2003 Columbia shuttle disaster, which killed seven astronauts.
At a press conference on August 24, NASA finally announced their decision. Williams and Wilmore will remain in space for another six months as they wait for SpaceX’s Dragon capsule to return them to Earth.
“Decisions like these are never easy, but I want to commend our NASA and Boeing teams for their thorough analysis, transparent discussions and focus on safety during the Crew Flight Test,” said Ken Bowersox, deputy director of NASA’s Space Operations Mission Directorate.
Ultimately, NASA’s decision came down to the astronauts’ safety, Harwood told CBS News.
If Starliner experiences further technical problems during its return flight, the spacecraft could burn up on re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere, burning up the astronauts inside.
“You can’t prove that the problems don’t get worse after the ship is undocked, and of course they have to be able to start their engines and get out of orbit and come back home,” Hardwood said.