Two NASA astronauts, Barry “Butch” Wilmore and Sunita “Suni” Williams, have been unexpectedly stranded aboard the International Space Station (ISS) for over 60 days after their spacecraft, Boeing’s Starliner, encountered a series of critical failures. The mission, which was initially planned to last just eight days, may now extend until early 2025, according to recent reports.
The trouble began shortly after the astronauts docked at the ISS in June 2024. What was supposed to be a routine test flight quickly turned problematic as the Starliner developed multiple issues, including helium leaks and thruster failures. NASA’s engineers have been working tirelessly to identify and address the root causes of these malfunctions, but a definitive solution remains elusive.
Steve Stitch, NASA’s Commercial Crew Program manager, acknowledged the severity of the situation, stating, “We need to probably decide, likely in the middle of August, one path or the other to go ahead and meet the launch date for Crew-9.”
NASA is considering an alternative plan that could involve rescuing the astronauts using a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft instead of relying on the troubled Starliner. However, this backup mission would not be feasible until February 2025, leaving the astronauts in a prolonged state of uncertainty.
Despite the challenges, NASA has assured that Wilmore and Williams are safe and have sufficient supplies aboard the ISS. The agency is committed to ensuring their safe return, whether it be aboard the Starliner or another spacecraft. However, the delays have been a significant setback for Boeing, whose Starliner program was meant to be a competitor to SpaceX’s Crew Dragon in NASA’s commercial crew program.
This situation has turned into a public relations headache for both NASA and Boeing. The technical failures and the possibility of relying on a rival company’s spacecraft for a rescue are seen as major embarrassments. Boeing, however, remains confident in the Starliner’s capabilities and continues to work closely with NASA to resolve the issues.
The Starliner mission, which was intended to demonstrate Boeing’s ability to safely transport astronauts to and from the ISS, has instead highlighted the risks and challenges of space exploration. While the Starliner was successful in reaching the ISS, the subsequent technical failures have cast doubt on its reliability for future missions.
NASA is now at a crossroads, weighing the risks of attempting a return with the Starliner against the option of waiting for the SpaceX Crew-9 mission. This decision is complicated by the need to balance safety, timing, and the logistical challenges of coordinating with multiple stakeholders. The coming weeks will be critical in determining the next steps for the stranded astronauts.