NASA has made the surprise announcement to keep astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore on board International Space Station (ISS) until February 2024. This was made because of Continuous problems that Boeing has been experiencing with their Starliner capsule that was expected to transport them back to earth. The Starliner has been was announced to have technical issues and difficulties which made NASA to look for an option that would ensure that the astronauts are safe once they are sent to space. This seems logical with NASA putting much emphasis on crew safety and mission outcomes; they are likely to use another craft, or perhaps await completion resolution of Starliner problems in an attempt at a repeat try Spacecraft return journey.
Background on the Boeing Starliner
Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner is under the CCP or Commercial Crew Program which aims to offer the safe and affordable means of going to the ISS and back. The Starliner was supposed to be the aerospace company’s equal counterpart to SpaceX’s Crew Dragon for further crewed missions. However, Boeing has recorded a series of challenges since the start of Starliner’s journey, which has made its certification and operationalization a challenge. Major issues have been a large software issue which led to an uncrewed test flight missing its aimed orbit in December of 2019, valve issues, as well as problems with the parachute system.
Following the December 2019 test flight incident Boeing analyzed the problem and made many changes to the hardware and software of the plane. A second test flight without the astronauts was conducted in May this year and it also reached the ISS and returned back to earth and it seems that Boeing is back on track to conduct the human missions. Nevertheless, new problems arising from subsequent checks include two parachutes within the capsule, as well as sealing valves. These matters still remain open and unfinished and that is why NASA decided to postpone the crewed missions using Starliner.
NASA’s Decision to Extend the ISS Mission
NASA assumed that Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore were to come back in the Starliner as part of a crewed test flight whose goal was to check how the vehicle can safely carry individuals. Nevertheless, the presence of some unresolved technical problems in the Starliner made NASA rethink the further progress of the test, putting the astronauts’ safety before demonstration. Since the withdrawal of the Starliner, more technical issues arose making the decision of taking the astronauts back on an untested vehicle a very risky affair.
This decision gives NASA and Boeing more time to resolve those technical problems that have arisen without compromising the testing and validation processes for Williams and Wilmore in the ISS. It also points to the fact that NASA is keen on continuing to ensure that safety measures are strictly followed this is especially the case with manned space missions. NASA’s Acting Associate Administrator for Space Operations, Ken Bowersox, has said that though people are disappointed but safety of the astronauts cannot be compromised and hence it is better to delay the launch.
Implications of the Extended Stay
Because of the extension, Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore will remain working in the ISS adding to the research and management of the center. The extra time on ISS offer more chances for the astronauts in experiments that can benefit from time used in a longer period namely biology, including, Biotechnology, physical sciences, earth as space sciences.
Furthermore, more time spent by the astronauts contributes to functioning of the ISS and makes sure all the systems of the station are healthy. This continuation of their mission helps with the workload of the station and also helps with training new comer who arrive through other missions.
Future Plans and Contingencies
both NASA and Boeing are pushing through with the development and fixing of the Starliner’s main glitches. After recognising the issues with the spacecraft Boeing has invested heavily in addressing the issues especially those affecting the valve and the parachute. On the other hand, the NASA has not left the astronauts stranded by looking for ways on how to get them back. One option includes making use of SpaceX’s Crew Dragon capsule that has been proven to be usable due to previous flights to the ISS.
The Crew Dragon developed by SpaceX has recorded a good safety level especially after its first manned mission in May 2020. As for the return of the astronauts, the Crew Dragon could be used as the redundancy that would guarantee that Williams and Wilmore could return to earth safely, while they give Boeing more time for refurbishing the Starliner for future crewed missions.
Broader Impact on the Commercial Crew Program
The delays with the Starliner also affect other objectives of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program that aims at promoting affordable and dependable transportation to LEO and BOO by private companies. However, problems associated with the Starliner have emerged, at the same time, the program was has been signified successful in several aspects mainly with the operational missions of the Crew Dragon.
Nevertheless, the occurrences of the Starliner delays are a reminder of the issues, which are associated with the development of new space technology especially under safety constrains. Actions that Boeing has taken to correct Starliner space issues show the challenges of the project on human spaceflight, as it is possible to encounter large-scale failures from small problems.
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