NASA administrator Bill Nelson announced that US astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore will return next February with the SpaceX Crew-9 mission after spending over 80 days aboard the International Space Station (ISS). This decision came after NASA’s Commercial Crew Program manager Steve Stich mentioned that there was too much uncertainty surrounding the prediction of the thrusters on Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft. Because of this uncertainty, NASA made the difficult choice to bring the astronauts back uncrewed.
Responding to questions about how NASA can trust Boeing again, NASA Associate Administrator Ken Bowersox stated that there were tense discussions and emotional investments involved in the decision-making process. While Bowersox acknowledged that there is work to be done to maintain the collaboration with Boeing, he also mentioned that NASA remains committed to working with the aerospace company. Stich highlighted the importance of evaluating risks and how different approaches can impact decision-making. He noted that there was a disagreement in the level of risk assessment between NASA and Boeing, leading to the uncrewed test flight.
Initially, the two astronauts were scheduled for an eight-day mission aboard the ISS following the launch of Boeing’s Starliner on June 5th. However, due to thruster failures, helium leaks, and valve issues during the docking process, the mission extended significantly. Tests conducted at NASA’s White Sands Test Facility revealed issues with Teflon seals on the spacecraft, which may have contributed to the thruster failures. Despite the challenges faced with Starliner, NASA had to decide between utilizing the spacecraft to bring the astronauts back or coordinating with SpaceX for the Crew-9 mission in February.
Looking ahead, NASA is working closely with SpaceX to ensure a successful launch of the Crew-9 mission in late September. The mission aims to bring the astronauts back to Earth safely following their extended stay on the ISS. By collaborating with SpaceX, NASA hopes to overcome the setbacks experienced with Starliner and continue its efforts to support human space exploration. The Crew-9 mission represents another milestone in NASA’s partnership with commercial companies for crewed space missions.
The decision to bring US astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore back to Earth with the SpaceX Crew-9 mission reflects NASA’s commitment to prioritizing crew safety and mission success. While facing challenges with Boeing’s Starliner, NASA navigated uncertainties and risks to ensure the well-being of the astronauts onboard the ISS. Moving forward, NASA’s partnership with SpaceX and other commercial companies will play a crucial role in advancing human space exploration and achieving future milestones in space travel.
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