NASA announced on Thursday that it expects to make a decision on Saturday regarding the return of the two astronauts who traveled to the International Space Station (ISS) aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft.
The space agency will determine if the astronauts will need to be brought back to Earth using a SpaceX vehicle.
The decision will follow an agency-level review, with NASA stating that no announcement will be made before Saturday, August 24. The review is expected to conclude with a resolution on whether Starliner, which experienced several issues during its mission, can safely return the astronauts or if an alternative plan will be necessary.
Starliner, which launched its first crewed mission in June, was intended for an eight-day stay at the ISS.
However, the mission has been prolonged due to complications, including leaks and thruster malfunctions. This mission is crucial for Boeing as it seeks NASA approval for routine flights, but the spacecraft has faced multiple setbacks since its initial test flights in 2019.
NASA Administrator Bill Nelson will be present at the review. Boeing has been working to address NASA’s concerns with new test data that the company claims demonstrates the spacecraft’s safety.
Despite these efforts, NASA remains cautious due to Starliner’s troubled history.
As a contingency, NASA has arranged for two seats on an upcoming SpaceX Crew Dragon mission.
If NASA opts for the SpaceX backup, astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams would return on that flight, which is scheduled to conclude in February 2025. Starliner would then return to Earth empty.
If Starliner is deemed safe for the astronauts, they could return sooner, possibly within the next month, freeing up the ISS docking port for the SpaceX mission.
This decision is particularly significant for Boeing, which has faced substantial financial losses and competition from SpaceX in the spacecraft development race.
