NASA May Delay Boeing Starliner Astronauts’ Return to 2025 and Use SpaceX’s Crew Dragon Instead
NASA is weighing the possibility of using SpaceX‘s Crew Dragon spacecraft to return astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams from the International Space Station (ISS) in February 2025, as concerns mount over the safety of Boeing‘s (NYSE: BA) Starliner capsule.
The two astronauts, who became the first crew to fly Boeing’s Starliner in June, have been aboard the ISS for 63 days, far exceeding their initially planned 8-day mission.
The extended stay is due to ongoing issues with Starliner’s propulsion system, including thruster failures during its approach to the ISS and helium leaks. These problems have raised doubts about the spacecraft’s ability to safely return the astronauts to Earth. While the issues may have been downplayed earlier on, recent test results have intensified concerns, leading to disagreements within NASA about accepting the risks associated with a Starliner return.
NASA usually rotates space station crews every six months, sending four new astronauts to replace the previous group. The contingency plan under consideration would alter this routine. If implemented, the next SpaceX Crew Dragon mission would launch with a reduced crew of two astronauts, rather than the standard four-person team. This adjustment would leave room for the two Starliner astronauts to return on the same capsule, should it become necessary.
Such a decision would be a significant setback for Boeing, which has invested $1.6 billion in Starliner’s development since 2016 and is competing with SpaceX in the commercial space industry.
The space agency is expected to make a final decision next week. In the meantime, NASA has delayed SpaceX’s upcoming Crew-9 mission by more than a month, providing additional time to evaluate options and gather more data on Starliner’s performance.
Boeing maintains that Starliner is safe for the astronauts’ return. However, NASA officials express growing discomfort with the uncertainties surrounding the thrusters’ issues. Ground tests have revealed that overheating causes a Teflon seal to warp, restricting propellant flow and weakening thruster performance.
If NASA opts for the SpaceX alternative, it could extend Wilmore and Williams’ stay on the ISS by an additional six months, aligning with the typical rotation schedule. This would mean that two will not be back on Earth until 2025. Additionally, this decision would also require reconfiguring Starliner for an unmanned return.
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