NASA announced on Saturday that the two astronauts who traveled to the International Space Station (ISS) aboard Boeing’s Starliner will return to Earth on a different spacecraft next year.
Astronauts Barry “Butch” Wilmore and Sunita “Suni” Williams, who were part of the first crewed test flight of the Starliner, are now scheduled to return in February 2025 on SpaceX’s Crew-9 mission, NASA confirmed. Meanwhile, the Boeing Starliner will return to Earth on a separate, uncrewed flight.
“The decision to keep Butch and Suni on the ISS and bring the Starliner back uncrewed reflects our unwavering commitment to safety,” NASA Administrator Bill Nelson stated during a press conference.
Originally, Wilmore and Williams were set to return on June 14, following a week-long stay on the ISS after their June 5 launch. However, their return has been postponed multiple times.
During their extended mission, the astronauts integrated with the “Expedition 71” crew, contributing to various research projects and taking on additional responsibilities. However, NASA officials noted that their prolonged stay has led to increased consumption of supplies intended for the ISS crew.
Steve Stich, the program manager for NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, revealed that extensive evaluations of the Starliner over the summer raised concerns about the vehicle’s thrusters, which were deemed too risky for the crew.
“There was too much risk for the crew,” Stich said.
Boeing responded to the situation with a statement emphasizing their priority on safety: “We continue to prioritize the safety of both the crew and the spacecraft. We are following NASA’s directives and preparing the Starliner for a secure and successful uncrewed return.”
NASA also announced that Wilmore and Williams will continue to assist with scientific experiments, maintenance tasks, and potentially some spacewalks during their extended stay on the ISS.
When SpaceX’s Dragon Crew-9 launches in September, it will carry only two of the originally assigned four astronauts to accommodate Wilmore and Williams for their return journey. Extra spacesuits will be provided for them on the mission.
“As we explored various options, it became clear that configuring the Crew-9 vehicle with a couple of empty seats on the way up was the simplest and best solution,” Stich explained.
Currently, Starliner lacks the capability to autonomously undock from the ISS. Achieving this would require a software update and additional training for Boeing’s flight control team.
The Starliner is part of NASA’s broader Commercial Crew Program, which aims to certify Boeing’s spacecraft for regular missions to and from the ISS. However, the spacecraft has faced numerous challenges, even before its launch. The flight test, initially planned for May 6, was delayed due to an issue with an oxygen valve on a rocket from United Launch Alliance (ULA). A new launch date was set for May 25, but a small helium leak in the service module caused another delay.
Helium leaks and thruster issues continued to pose challenges for Starliner’s docking. Five days after docking, NASA and Boeing reported five “small” helium leaks but assured that there was enough helium for the return mission.
Last month, NASA’s White Sands Test Facility in New Mexico conducted ground tests on Starliner’s thruster to simulate the conditions it would face during undocking.
Reflecting on the mission changes, Stich acknowledged the emotional toll on the crew. “In the long term, we haven’t lost anything. Boeing is committed to resolving the issues and flying Starliner again. But it’s hard to put into words the impact of such a significant change to a mission after such a long commitment,” he said.
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Norm Knight, NASA’s director of flight operations, expressed empathy for the families of Wilmore and Williams as they endure the extended wait for their return. “I care deeply about their families. I know this has a significant impact on them, and I want to thank them for their support and understanding,” he remarked. “Every astronaut is aware of the risks, which can include extended stays on the space station.”
