The American space agency NASA has said that the two astronauts stuck on the International Space Station (ISS) since June this year may not return to Earth until 2025.
The American space agency NASA has said that the two astronauts stuck on the International Space Station (ISS) since June this year may not return to Earth until 2025.
The space agency is evaluating whether the two stranded astronauts can return home aboard Elon Musk's SpaceX craft instead of Boeing's Starliner capsule. The Starliner capsule has been plagued by problems since its launch two months ago.
NASA officials said Wednesday that there is uncertainty about the safety of the Boeing capsule, and the space agency appears divided on the threat.
The uncertainty raises the possibility that test pilots Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams may have to stay on the space station as their Starliner capsule is prepared to return to empty Earth.
If that happens, NASA will bring two of the four astronauts back to Earth on SpaceX's next taxi flight in late September, leaving two empty seats for Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams on the return trip in February next year. will go The astronaut couple launched on June 5 as the first Starliner crew to spend just a week or two in space.
NASA is hiring additional experts to analyze Starliner's thruster failures before it docks. NASA, meanwhile, is looking to Elon Musk's company SpaceX as a backup.
At this point, 'we can go either way said Ken Bowersox, NASA's space operations mission chief
Disagreements over the return of Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams to Earth have forced officials to postpone a review of the Starliner and delay the SpaceX launch that was scheduled to depart for space on Tuesday.
The Independent has contacted NASA, Boeing and SpaceX for comment.
Boeing has publicly acknowledged that it is still committed to the Starliner, which experienced mechanical problems while docking at the International Space Station on June 6, which was supposed to complete the mission in eight days.
The company said in a statement on Friday: 'Boeing is confident in Starliner's ability to return safely with the spacecraft and crew. We support NASA's requests for additional research, data, analysis, and assessments to verify the spacecraft's safe docking and landing capabilities.
Getting astronauts back into the SpaceX capsule would be a major setback for Boeing
The June flight was Starliner's first manned mission to the International Space Station, a major project by the planemaker to compete with SpaceX for contracts with NASA.
Last week, Boeing reported a $12.5 billion loss on the Starliner program, adding to its previous losses of $1.1 billion, according to Securities and Exchange Commission filings.
According to Da Journal, Starliner's ability to complete its ISS mission could decide the fate of half a dozen contracts with NASA for future flights.
Problems with the Starliner could add to the woes of Boeing, which has faced intense scrutiny over mechanical problems with its commercial jets and claims by company employees.
All of these questions will surely be on the agenda of Robert Ortberg, who takes over as Boeing's new chief executive on Thursday.
