A misconception has been circulating that the NASA astronauts who flew the Boeing Starliner, named Calypso, to the International Space Station are “stranded in space”. Comparisons with airline passengers stuck in terminals are misleading.
This situation differs significantly from an airline incident. The astronauts are not stranded. They are actively involved in operational decisions about their return. NASA has opted for a return flight on SpaceX’s CrewDragon instead of the Starliner, which will fly back empty.
1. Not Like Airline Passengers
Unlike passengers dealing with canceled flights, the astronauts understand their operational environment and have trained for various scenarios, unlike those left helpless in an airport.
2. Among NASA’s most experienced
The Starliner Crew Flight Test astronauts are Barry “Butch” Wilmore and Sunita “Suni” Williams, both seasoned space travelers. They share similar backgrounds as US Navy test pilots.
3. In-flight Operations
Their Starliner mission, launched on June 5, 2024, faced surprising thruster failures upon approach to the ISS, leading to plans to send them back on CrewDragon.
4. Reflections on history
NASA’s past experiences, such as the Columbia disaster, shape current safety protocols and decisions regarding launch vehicles.
5. The decision to bring Starliner back empty
Understanding the risks, NASA decided that Wilmore and Williams would operate Starliner systems for an uncrewed return.
6. CrewDragon for return
SpaceX will facilitate their return on Crew-9, allowing for a safe transition back to Earth.
7. Boeing’s reputation at stake
Recent issues have affected Boeing’s credibility, and the outcome of Starliner will significantly impact its future in the space industry.
8. Supporting commercial launch vendors
NASA’s intent to have multiple reliable launch vendors is crucial in avoiding future mishaps similar to previous challenges.
9. Future Watch
The key question remains: how will Starliner perform on re-entry? Confidence in SpaceX’s CrewDragon persists, underscoring NASA’s strategy to ensure space mission safety.
