NASA might replace Boeing’s Starliner with SpaceX’s Crew Dragon to bring astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams back to Earth, AP said.
This change could extend their stay on the International Space Station (ISS) to eight months.
Originally, the astronauts were expected to be in space for just a week or two, but ongoing safety concerns with Starliner have prompted NASA to consider SpaceX as a backup option.
Boeing’s Starliner capsule has faced thruster failures and helium leaks, raising doubts about its reliability. While some thrusters have been fixed, the cause of these issues is still unclear, leaving NASA uncertain about Starliner’s safety.
NASA might switch to SpaceX’s Crew Dragon for the astronauts’ return. This would mean leaving two astronauts from the upcoming SpaceX mission on the ISS to make room for Wilmore and Williams on the February return flight.
At this point, “we could take either path,” said Ken Bowersox, NASA’s space operations mission chief.
NASA is evaluating both Boeing and SpaceX as options for bringing the astronauts home. A final decision is expected by mid-August, as the agency carefully weighs the risks involved.
Boeing asserts that Starliner can safely return the astronauts, but further tests are ongoing. The company may need to modify the capsule’s software if it returns without a crew.
NASA’s contracts with Boeing and SpaceX were meant to ensure multiple options for space missions. SpaceX has flown crews since 2020, while Boeing has faced delays. NASA stresses the need for multiple spacecraft to avoid future issues.
SpaceX‘s next mission, originally set for September, has been delayed to allow more time to address Starliner concerns. The decision on which spacecraft to use for the astronauts’ return depends on ongoing safety assessments.