NASA Faces Tough Decision: Return Astronauts on Boeing’s Starliner or Opt for SpaceX Rescue Mission?
NASA is grappling with a critical decision this week regarding the return of its astronauts, Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, from the International Space Station (ISS). The agency is weighing the risks of bringing the crew back on Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft, which has experienced multiple thruster failures during its mission, against the alternative of using SpaceX’s Crew Dragon capsule for a rescue mission.
Key Takeaways:
- Boeing’s Starliner experienced multiple thruster failures during its flight to the ISS, raising concerns about its safety for the return trip.
- NASA is considering sending Starliner back empty and utilizing SpaceX’s Crew Dragon to bring the astronauts home.
- The agency has not identified a root cause for the thruster failures, leaving the decision to return the astronauts on Starliner risky.
- A return with Crew Dragon would necessitate removing two astronauts from the upcoming Crew-9 mission.
- This decision holds significant implications for both the Commercial Crew Program and the future of Boeing’s Starliner program.
Trusting the Thrust: A Question of Risk
The Starliner capsule, dubbed "Calypso," has been in space for over 59 days, exceeding its original nine-day mission duration as NASA and Boeing investigate the thruster issue. While the agency has publicly stated that the spacecraft’s return is the "primary option," internal discussions reveal a growing level of uncertainty regarding its safety.
Following recent testing, NASA confirmed that 27 of Starliner’s 28 thrusters appear to be healthy. However, the lack of a definitive root cause for the failed thrusters creates a lingering risk of further malfunctions during the return flight. While Boeing maintains that they have identified a "likely root cause," they have yet to definitively pinpoint the issue.
NASA now faces a crucial decision: whether to trust that the thruster problem will not resurface or to mitigate the risk by opting for a SpaceX rescue mission.
An Unpredictable Outcome: Navigating Through Uncertainties
This decision has sparked an ongoing debate within NASA. The agency’s Commercial Crew Program Control Board (PCB), established to assess risks during human spaceflight operations, met this week to discuss Starliner’s return. However, the PCB has not reached a consensus on moving forward with a flight readiness review, which is a crucial step in setting a return date.
The lack of a unanimous decision reflects the uncertainty surrounding the safety of Starliner’s return. Dissent among PCB members could escalate the issue up the chain of command, further complicating the decision-making process.
Making a Choice: Balancing Safety and Program Viability
The choice NASA ultimately makes will have far-reaching consequences. It’s a decision that must prioritize astronaut safety, which remains the agency’s paramount concern. However, it also carries the weight of potential ramifications for Boeing’s involvement in the Commercial Crew Program.
If NASA chooses to return Wilmore and Williams on Starliner, it would be accepting a degree of risk.
A significant incident during the return could lead to immense pressure on NASA leadership to terminate Boeing’s contract and remove them from the program. Such an outcome could further jeopardize the future of the Starliner spacecraft.
On the other hand, opting for a SpaceX-led rescue mission would be a vote of no confidence in Boeing, potentially forcing the company to withdraw from the program altogether.
Additionally, if Starliner returns successfully without incident, NASA might face criticism for overreacting to the thruster issue.
A Crossroads for Human Spaceflight:
The situation surrounding Starliner’s return highlights the complexities and risks inherent in human spaceflight. This is not just a decision about the immediate safety of two astronauts, but also a critical crossroads in the evolution of commercial human spaceflight.
NASA’s decision will have lasting implications, not only for the Commercial Crew Program but also for the broader landscape of private companies participating in human space exploration.
