Nasa says astronauts on Boeing’s Starliner could return to Earth with SpaceX in 2025
A series of propulsion system problems have plagued the Starliner mission, originally expected to last about eight days, leading Boeing and NASA to work on fixes.
NASA said Wednesday (August 7) that astronauts launched to the International Space Station (ISS) on Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft could return to Earth on SpaceX’s Crew Dragon in February 2025 if the original transport is still deemed unsafe to bring them home.
The Starliner mission began in June, carrying two astronauts to the ISS in a high-stakes test flight that would certify Boeing’s spacecraft for routine trips to the space station.
Initially planned to last about eight days, the mission has been extended due to a series of propulsion system problems with the spacecraft that Boeing and NASA have been working to fix. Those issues have cast doubt on whether Starliner can safely return its crew — veteran astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams — to Earth, leading NASA to evaluate whether a Crew Dragon capsule will need to bring them home.
The Boeing and NASA are working to fix the propulsion system problems with the Starliner spacecraft. The problems have cast doubt on whether Starliner can safely return its crew to Earth, leading NASA to evaluate whether a Crew Dragon capsule will need to bring them home.
NASA’s announcement comes as the agency continues to grapple with the challenges of returning its astronauts to Earth from the ISS. The agency has relied on Russian Soyuz spacecraft to ferry its astronauts to and from the space station since 2011, but the war in Ukraine has complicated that arrangement.
SpaceX’s Crew Dragon is currently the only other spacecraft certified to carry astronauts to and from the ISS. The Crew Dragon has flown six crewed missions to the space station, and NASA has ordered five more flights.
If Starliner is unable to return its crew to Earth, NASA may have to purchase additional Crew Dragon flights from SpaceX. The agency has already paid Boeing more than $400 million for the Starliner development program, and it is unclear how much it would cost to purchase additional Crew Dragon flights.
The Starliner mission is a critical test for Boeing, which is eager to establish itself as a major player in the commercial spaceflight market. The company has already invested billions of dollars in the Starliner program, and it is counting on the spacecraft to be a success.
NASA is also eager to see the Starliner succeed. The agency has been working to transition to commercial spaceflight providers for its astronaut transportation needs, and the Starliner is one of two spacecraft that are expected to fill that role.
The Starliner’s problems are a setback for both Boeing and NASA, but the agencies are working to resolve the issues and ensure that the spacecraft is safe to fly.
NASA has said that it will not return astronauts to Earth on Starliner until the agency is confident that the spacecraft is safe. The agency is conducting a thorough investigation into the Starliner’s propulsion system problems, and it will not make a decision on whether to return astronauts to Earth on the spacecraft until that investigation is complete.
The Starliner’s problems have also raised questions about the future of commercial spaceflight. The industry is still in its early stages, and there have been a number of setbacks along the way. However, the Starliner’s problems are a reminder that commercial spaceflight is a complex and challenging endeavor.
Despite the challenges, NASA and Boeing are committed to the Starliner program. The agencies believe that the Starliner has the potential to be a safe and reliable spacecraft, and they are working to resolve the issues that have plagued the program.
