NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore's return to Earth from the International Space Station has been delayed due to technical issues with Boeing's Starliner spacecraft. The delay marks a setback in NASA's plan to rely on private companies for astronaut transportation.
The two NASA astronauts aboard Boeing's Starliner spacecraft are now expected to return to Earth on or around July 20, a delay of nearly six weeks from their original scheduled departure date of June 12. The delay is the result of a series of technical issues, including helium leaks and thruster problems.
Boeing's Starliner Spacecraft Glitch Delays Astronauts' Return to Earth
The issues have raised concerns about the reliability of Boeing's spacecraft, which was making its first manned mission to the International Space Station (ISS). NASA and Boeing are working to resolve the problems, but it is unclear when the spacecraft will be ready to return to Earth.
The delay has also emphasized the importance of having multiple reliable options for astronaut transportation to and from the ISS. NASA has been relying on SpaceX's Dragon craft for astronaut transportation, but the Starliner delay has shown that it is important to have a backup option.
Boeing's Starliner Spacecraft Glitch Delays Astronauts' Return to Earth
The delay is a setback for NASA's Commercial Crew Program (CCP), which aims to use private companies to transport astronauts and cargo to the ISS. NASA has paid billions of dollars to Boeing and SpaceX to develop their spacecraft, and the Starliner delay could erode confidence in the CCP.
Makena Young, a fellow with the Aerospace Security Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), said that the delay is a reminder of the challenges of developing and operating spacecraft.
Boeing's Starliner Spacecraft Glitch Delays Astronauts' Return to Earth
"It's a really hard operating environment when things go wrong ... It's not like you can go to take it to a mechanic when you're in space," Young said.
Young said that the delay is "not a good thing" but that it is important to ensure that the spacecraft is safe before returning the astronauts to Earth.
Boeing's Starliner Spacecraft Glitch Delays Astronauts' Return to Earth
"You really want to make sure that there are no questions in the back of your mind when you're saying, 'OK, yes, this is ready to launch humans,'" Young said.
The Starliner delay is not the first time that a private spacecraft has experienced technical problems. In 2019, SpaceX's Crew Dragon spacecraft was forced to abort a launch after a capsule explosion.
Boeing's Starliner Spacecraft Glitch Delays Astronauts' Return to Earth
The delays highlight the challenges of developing and operating spacecraft, and they raise questions about the reliability of private companies to transport astronauts to and from the ISS.
Here is a timeline of key dates in the Starliner mission:
Boeing's Starliner Spacecraft Glitch Delays Astronauts' Return to Earth
- June 5: Astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore left Earth in Boeing's Starliner spacecraft.
- June 26: Boeing Starliner's scheduled return to Earth scratched.
Boeing's Starliner Spacecraft Glitch Delays Astronauts' Return to Earth
- Early July: Starliner's rescheduled return to Earth (no official date set, but Reuters reported July 6 is the target date, citing NASA sources).
- July 20: Marks 45 days since Starliner took off. The spacecraft can spend 45 days docked at the International Space Station.
Boeing's Starliner Spacecraft Glitch Delays Astronauts' Return to Earth
- Sept. 30: Marks 72 days of Starliner's backup power (the spacecraft can run for 72 days on backup).
