Lagatar24 Desk
Washington,D.C.: NASA has announced a postponement of SpaceX’s Crew-9 mission, which was originally scheduled to transport four astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS). The delay comes amid continuing technical difficulties with Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft, which has been plagued by multiple setbacks, leaving its crew in a precarious situation.
The decision to delay the Crew-9 launch, now set for no earlier than September 24, aims to provide additional time for mission managers to finalize return plans for the Starliner and its crew, including NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore. The Starliner has been docked at the ISS for about seven weeks longer than planned due to ongoing issues with its thrusters and helium leaks, which have hampered its safe return to Earth.
According to NASA’s update issued on Tuesday, the original launch date of August 18 had to be revised due to the unresolved problems with Starliner. Boeing engineers have been conducting extensive ground tests since late July to address the thruster malfunctions and helium leaks that occurred during the spacecraft’s historic crewed test flight in June. Despite these efforts, the issues remain unresolved, delaying the return of Williams and Wilmore.
NASA had intended to start a flight readiness review for the Starliner in early August, but this process has not yet begun. The ultimate decision on the crew’s return rests with NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, who emphasizes crew safety as the top priority.
Despite the ongoing challenges, Boeing remains optimistic about the Starliner’s ability to safely return the crew. Mark Nappi, Boeing’s commercial crew program manager, expressed confidence in the spacecraft’s condition, asserting, “I’m very confident we have a good vehicle to bring the crew back with.”
The Starliner, which launched on June 5, 2024, with Williams and Wilmore on board, managed to dock with the ISS despite the thruster issues. However, the spacecraft’s manual operations during docking put additional stress on its propulsion system, complicating the return journey.
With approximately 19 days left before the Crew-9 mission’s anticipated launch, NASA faces a critical deadline to address the Starliner’s technical problems. The Crew-9 mission will carry NASA astronauts Zena Cardman, Nick Hague, and Stephanie Wilson, alongside Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexander Gorbunov, to the ISS.
The current docking port occupied by the Starliner needs to be vacated for the incoming Crew-9 mission, adding urgency to resolving the spacecraft’s issues. If necessary, NASA may consider alternative methods for returning Williams and Wilmore, potentially using a SpaceX Dragon capsule.
Boeing’s Starliner program has encountered numerous challenges over the years, including issues with protective tape, battery problems, and parachute system failures, costing the company nearly $1.5 billion in lost revenue. The current delays further impact Boeing’s financial and reputational standing as engineers work to resolve the spacecraft’s problems.
Despite the extended stay and ongoing technical difficulties, astronauts Williams and Wilmore have demonstrated resilience, continuing their mission activities aboard the ISS and providing updates on their situation. Williams, who faces health risks related to bone loss in space, and Wilmore have shown remarkable professionalism and patience as the team works to resolve the spacecraft’s issues.
