SpaceX Plans to Bring Back Stranded Astronauts by 2025

SpaceX Plans to Bring Back Stranded Astronauts by 2025

Two NASA astronauts, Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore, who have been stranded in space for over two months, are scheduled to return to Earth in February 2025 with the help of SpaceX. NASA announced that the Boeing Starliner spacecraft, which initially took the astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS), will return to Earth "un-crewed." 

The astronauts had embarked on what was meant to be an eight-day mission on June 5th but are now expected to spend around eight months in orbit. The Starliner faced multiple issues en route to the ISS, including helium leaks that affected the propulsion system and malfunctioning thrusters.

NASA had awarded billion-dollar contracts to Boeing and SpaceX for commercial space flights. Boeing’s contract was valued at $4.2 billion, while SpaceX, founded by Elon Musk, received $2.6 billion. While SpaceX has successfully completed nine crewed missions for NASA, this mission was Boeing’s first attempt at a crewed flight.

Boeing and NASA engineers have spent months diagnosing and troubleshooting the Starliner's technical problems, conducting tests and gathering data both in space and on Earth, with the goal of eventually bringing the astronauts home safely aboard the Starliner.

During a press conference on Saturday, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson stated that Boeing has been working closely with NASA to determine the necessary improvements for the spacecraft. He emphasized that "space flight is inherently risky, even under the safest and most routine conditions, and a test flight is by its nature neither safe nor routine." He added, "Safety is our core value and our guiding principle."

The decision has been made to extend the stay of astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore on the ISS until February 2025 so that they can return on a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft. The extended time frame allows SpaceX to prepare its next vehicle, which is scheduled for launch at the end of September. Originally planned to carry four astronauts, the spacecraft will now travel to the space station with only two, making room for Wilmore and Williams to join the return trip to Earth at the end of the mission next February.

NASA stated that both astronauts had previously undertaken two extended missions in space and were aware of the risks associated with the test flight, including the possibility of spending more time on the station than initially planned. The agency noted that Mr. Wilmore, 61, and Ms. Williams, 58, were fully supportive of the revised return plans. They will use the additional time to conduct scientific research, perform space maintenance, and potentially undertake some spacewalks.

Boeing's Starliner had already faced several years of delays due to development issues, with earlier un-crewed missions also encountering technical problems. In a statement, Boeing affirmed its commitment to "the safety of the crew and spacecraft," and assured that they are "carrying out the mission as directed by NASA and preparing for a safe and successful un-crewed return."