NASA Turns to SpaceX for Astronaut Rescue Mission
After weeks of speculation and uncertainty, NASA has officially announced that astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, who flew to the International Space Station on Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft in June, will not be returning home on that vehicle. Instead, the agency has called upon SpaceX to utilize its Crew Dragon spacecraft to bring the astronauts back to Earth.
During a recent news conference at Johnson Space Center, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson revealed that Wilmore and Williams would be returning with Crew-9 next February. The decision was made following a Flight Readiness Review meeting where senior officials unanimously voted in favor of the astronauts returning on Crew Dragon. This move marks a significant shift in plans for Boeing, as their Starliner spacecraft will now undock from the station in early September and attempt an autonomous return to Earth.
The Crew Dragon spacecraft is set to launch with two astronauts, who have yet to be named, to the space station with two empty seats. Wilmore and Williams will join these crew members for their previously scheduled six-month increment on the space station, with all four astronauts returning to Earth on the Crew Dragon vehicle. This decision has major implications for Boeing, as their failure to transport the astronauts as planned will undoubtedly impact their future in spaceflight.
White Sands Testing Raises Concerns
Following Starliner’s arrival at the space station in June, concerns began to arise regarding the spacecraft’s thrusters. Five of the 28 small thrusters that guide Starliner had failed during the journey to the space station, prompting engineers from Boeing and NASA to conduct tests at a facility in White Sands, New Mexico in July. The goal was to collect data on the thrusters’ performance and identify any potential issues.
However, the results of the testing revealed a troubling discovery. Steve Stich, chief of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, explained that a piece of Teflon swelling up and obstructing the flow path of the oxidizer was causing a degradation in thrust. This unexpected finding raised doubts about the spacecraft’s ability to safely return to Earth without encountering the same thruster problem.
When NASA presented this information to the thruster’s manufacturer, Aerojet Rocketdyne, they admitted to never having encountered this phenomenon before. As a result, agency engineers became uncertain about their ability to pinpoint the root cause of the issue and ensure that it would not pose a risk during Starliner’s return journey.
SpaceX Steps in to Assist
In light of the uncertainty surrounding Starliner’s thruster issues, NASA made the decision to turn to SpaceX for assistance. This unexpected turn of events has placed SpaceX in the position of rescuing the Boeing astronauts currently onboard the International Space Station. While this may not have been the ideal outcome for Boeing, it highlights the shifting dynamics in the commercial spaceflight industry.
Despite initial skepticism towards SpaceX, the company has proven itself as a reliable partner in space missions. NASA’s reliance on SpaceX for crew and cargo transportation to the International Space Station underscores the company’s success and ability to adapt to challenges. By stepping in to assist Boeing in this critical mission, SpaceX continues to demonstrate its readiness to support the broader spaceflight community.
In a statement following the news conference, Jim Free, NASA’s highest-ranking civil servant, acknowledged SpaceX’s significant contributions to space exploration. He emphasized the importance of having multiple providers for crew transportation to the space station, highlighting SpaceX’s reliability and track record of success in fulfilling NASA’s spaceflight needs.
As the space industry continues to evolve, the collaboration between SpaceX and Boeing in this astronaut rescue mission reflects the interconnected nature of space exploration. While challenges may arise, the ability of companies like SpaceX to adapt and respond to unexpected situations is crucial in ensuring the success of future missions.
NASA’s decision to enlist SpaceX’s assistance in bringing the astronauts back to Earth underscores the agency’s commitment to prioritizing safety and ensuring the successful return of its crew members. By leveraging the capabilities of both SpaceX and Boeing, NASA continues to push the boundaries of space exploration and advance the frontiers of human spaceflight.
